Remembering Charlie Kirk, Founder of Turning Point USA

Michael Foust

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By Michael Foust, Crosswalk.com

Charlie Kirk, the conservative leader who launched a grassroots youth movement promoting conservative and biblical values on college campuses and who toured them extensively, died Wednesday following an assassination attempt. He was 31. Kirk was addressing several thousand college students at Utah Valley University in Orem when he collapsed on stage from gunfire, sending attendees scrambling and prompting authorities to rush forward to assist. He died at the hospital.

Kirk was the founder of Turning Point USA, a conservative youth organization, and the host of The Charlie Kirk Show. He is survived by his wife, Erika, and their two young children. 

President Trump announced his death in a Truth Social post. Turning Point USA later confirmed his passing. 

"The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead," Trump said. "No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!"

Trump ordered American flags to be flown at half mast through Sunday evening. 

Days ago, Kirk told the Deseret News he wanted to promote a positive type of conservatism.

"You have to try to point them toward ultimate purposes and toward getting back to the church, getting back to faith, getting married, having children," he said of the frustration among many young people. "That is the type of conservatism that I represent, and I'm trying to paint a picture of virtue, of lifting people up, not just staying angry."

Kirk emerged as a leading conservative activist when, at only 18, he launched Turning Point USA, a group dedicated to spreading conservative and biblical principles on high school and college campuses. Over the next decade, he grew the organization into a national force and became a familiar voice in political debates. He also authored several books and was willing to dialogue with those with whom he disagreed, such as in March when he interviewed California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, and two months later when he appeared on the podcast of Bill Maher, a skeptic of Christianity. 

He was open about his Christian faith, tweeting over the weekend, "Jesus defeated death so you can live." 

Conservative commentator Scott Jennings, a friend of Kirk's, urged Americans to pray for the country.

"This nation is in desperate need of prayer and some kind of an intervention," Jennings said on CNN. "... What was Charlie doing? Making a speech, engaging in rhetoric, having a debate. That's the bedrock of our nation, and now you can't go out in public and engage in speech. It's the opposite of violence. Speech is the opposite.

"God help us," Jennings added. "We're in a bad place."

Tributes poured in following Kirk's death.

"I'm heartbroken at the senseless murder of Charlie Kirk," said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. "He used logic and kindness to persuade those who disagreed with him. This violence is inexplicable. My prayers are with his family."

"What a tragedy," evangelist Franklin Graham said. "... This young man loved his country and invested his time and energy in trying to make it the best it could be. He stood boldly for conservative values and defended free speech for all of us. Most importantly, Charlie loved the Lord Jesus Christ."

Leaders on the Left, too, condemned the tragedy.

"There is no place in our country for this kind of violence. It must end now," former president Joe Biden said. "Jill and I are praying for Charlie Kirk's family and loved ones."

Several political observers said the national discourse must change.

"It is not just the act of violence but the spirit of violence that must be opposed. It is not just the action to harm another which must be opposed but the desire that harm would fall to another. If we do not have the courage to pursue a politics of love, our political heart will become consumed by hate," said Michael Wear, CEO, Center for Christianity & Public Life. 

Podcaster Chuck Todd noted that the "whole point of political debate is to resolve disputes WITHOUT violence."

"What happened to Charlie Kirk is simply horrific and sickening," Todd said. "And on a college campus, no less, a place where we should be celebrating speech, not trying to silence it. Everyone in the political arena needs to do some soul-searching. None of us want to live in a tinder box."

Daniel Darling, director of the Land Center at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, said Jesus is the only answer.

"We need spiritual revival in this country," he said. "God send it."

Related Article: Charlie Kirk Pronounced Dead after Shooting at Utah Valley University Event

Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Samuel Corum/Stringer

Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel. 

Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.

This content first appeared on Crosswalk.com and is used here with permission. To view the original visit: https://www.crosswalk.com/headlines/contributors/michael-foust/remembering-charlie-kirk-founder-of-turning-point-usa.html
 

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