Charlie Kirk

Charlie Kirk
Born	October 14, 1993; Arlington Heights, Illinois, U.S.
Died	September 10, 2025 (aged 31); Orem, Utah, U.S.
Occupations	Political activist; Author; Talk-radio host
Known for	Co-founder & CEO of Turning Point USA; The Charlie Kirk Show
Spouse	Erika Frantzve (m. 2021)
Children	2
Education	Wheeling High School; Harper College (no degree)

Charlie Kirk (born Charles James Kirk; October 14, 1993 – September 10, 2025) was an American conservative activist, author, and media personality. He co-founded Turning Point USA (TPUSA) in 2012 and became a prominent figure in youth-focused conservative politics through campus events, a nationally syndicated talk-radio show, and a large social media presence. Kirk was shot and killed while speaking at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025, an attack widely condemned across the political spectrum.

Quick facts

Born	October 14, 1993; Arlington Heights, Illinois, U.S.
Died	September 10, 2025 (aged 31); Orem, Utah, U.S.
Occupations	Political activist; author; talk-radio host
Known for	Co-founder and CEO of Turning Point USA; host of The Charlie Kirk Show
Spouse	Erika Frantzve (m. 2021)
Children	2
Education	Wheeling High School; briefly attended Harper College (no degree)

Early life and education

Kirk was born in Arlington Heights, Illinois, and raised in Prospect Heights. He attended Wheeling High School, where he engaged in local politics and conservative student activism. He briefly enrolled at Harper College before focusing on political organizing full-time.

Turning Point USA

Kirk co-founded Turning Point USA in 2012 with Bill Montgomery. Under his leadership, TPUSA developed a large chapter network on high-school and college campuses, hosted high-profile conferences (e.g., AmericaFest), and launched initiatives such as the Professor Watchlist and school-board tracking projects. The organization’s growth was fueled by major conservative donors and a robust media operation. TPUSA and its affiliates—Turning Point Action and TPUSA Faith—played visible roles in Republican youth outreach and grassroots mobilization.

Fundraising and criticism

TPUSA’s prominence drew scrutiny from journalists and higher-education groups, including reporting on finances, campaign-adjacent activities, and tactics seen by critics as confrontational on campuses. Supporters credited TPUSA for energizing young conservatives and expanding the right’s presence at universities; detractors argued it intensified polarization and harassed faculty.

Media career

Starting in 2020, Kirk hosted a daily talk-radio program, The Charlie Kirk Show, syndicated by Salem Radio Network, alongside a high-traffic podcast and video channels. He delivered a prime-time speech at the 2020 Republican National Convention, where he described then-President Donald Trump as the “bodyguard of Western civilization.”

Political influence

Kirk maintained close ties with Republican Party leaders and the Trump political orbit. He and Turning Point Action invested heavily in voter-registration and turnout operations targeting young and infrequent voters. In 2024, he was among the figures pressing for leadership changes at the Republican National Committee.

Utah Valley University shooting (September 10, 2025)

On September 10, 2025, during the first stop of his “American Comeback Tour” at Utah Valley University (UVU) in Orem, Utah, Kirk was struck by a single gunshot while speaking under an outdoor tent. Witness videos show him clutching his neck as the crowd fled. Initial reports indicated a person was detained, but authorities later said no confirmed suspect was in custody. Kirk was transported to a hospital and pronounced dead later that day. National leaders condemned the attack, and the White House ordered U.S. flags flown at half-staff. (See detailed timeline at Shooting of Charlie Kirk.)

Views and controversies

Kirk advocated conservative positions on limited government, immigration, higher-education reform, and gun rights, frequently debating students in open-mic formats (“Prove Me Wrong”). His remarks and TPUSA’s campus tactics drew sustained backlash from progressive groups and some faculty organizations, while galvanizing support among young conservatives.

Personal life

Kirk married Erika Frantzve in 2021. The couple had two children. He was an evangelical Christian.

Selected works

Time for a Turning Point (2016)
Campus Battlefield (2018)
The MAGA Doctrine (2020)
Right Wing Revolution: How to Beat the Woke and Save the West (2024)

External links

Official: TPUSA (tpusa.com)
Radio/Podcast: The Charlie Kirk Show (Salem Podcast Network)