Charlie Kirk dies at 31: How the MAGA star built a conservative behemoth

Charlie Kirk, one of the most influential podcasters in the MAGA world and the co-founder of Turning Point USA, died Wednesday from injuries following a shooting in Utah, his organization confirmed Wednesday. He was 31.The big picture: Kirk was instrumental in ushering masses of young Americans to conservative politics and a driving force in President Trump's White House runs.A millennial darling of the MAGA movement, Kirk also reached audiences through his podcast, "The Charlie Kirk Show," and more than 5 million X followers.He began his media career in 2012 as a Fox News guest and rose to prominence in conservative politics, propelling him to a guest co-host spot on "Fox & Friends Weekend" in July of this year.Driving the news: Kirk was shot on Wednesday during a Utah Valley University event on September 10, and died from his injuries.Turning Point USA requested prayers and privacy for his family and loved ones in a statement."No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie," Trump said in a statement shared on Truth Social. "He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us."Kirk's death came during his "American Comeback Tour" of university campuses, where the provocateur's infamous "Prove me Wrong" tables have sparked fierce debates across the country.He is survived by his wife, Erika Kirk, and two children.Zoom out: The influencer was well-known for his work mobilizing young Republicans — and debating his campus critics. Turning Point USA describes itself as the "largest and fastest growing conservative youth activist organization in the country" with a presence on over 3,500 college campuses. But Kirk's influence far surpassed campus spats, as he forged ties with the president and a friendship with Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., with whom he traveled to Greenland earlier this year.Kirk started Turning Point USA in 2012, at a time when the youth vote's leftward shift appeared to be unstoppable.Since then, the group has turned into a conservative behemoth, launching a political arm to explicitly support GOP candidates and campaign against Democrats.Kirk parlayed Turning Point's growing influence into his popular podcast, where he promoted Trump's agenda and used his massive audience to pressure lawmakers to march in step with the president.His influence was on display earlier this year, when his pressure campaign over Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's confirmation was credited by some with getting anxious Republican senators over the finish line in support.Flashback: Last year, Kirk spoke at the Republican National Convention, where he appealed to young voters and said, "I visit college campuses so you don't have to."He headlined several events with the president in the lead-up to the 2024 election and evoked religion by calling the race a "spiritual battle."Zoom in: Kirk was a chief promoter of traditional Christian views, including advocating for classic gender roles.He was also a frequent critic of Islam, claiming the religion is incompatible with the West, and lamented a supposed lack of "assimilation," suggesting that immigrants who don't adequately match American norms could be deported even if in the country legally.Beyond culture wars, Kirk was a fierce advocate for an economic change that would benefit young Americans, warning that the country was becoming split between "buyers and renters" and that Gen Z had little faith in being able to hit traditional economic milestones like buying a home or affording a family."To all the Gen Zers watching this convention on TikTok right now, I have a message just for you," he said during his 2024 RNC address. "You don't have to stay poor. You don't have to accept being worse off than your parents."Go deeper: Charlie Kirk dies after being shot at campus event in Utah, Trump says

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