American conservative Charlie Kirk was shot on September 10, 2025, at a public speaking event on a Utah campus and tragically died at 31.
The activist was well known for his views on LGBTQ issues, abortion, and gun ownership. The Christian conservative and ally of President Donald Trump toured America speaking on campuses. His speaking initiative was hosted by his nonprofit political organization, which began after President Barack Obama was re-elected in 2012.
Its mission is to organize students to “promote the principles of fiscal responsibility, free markets, and limited government.” It now has chapters at more than 850 colleges.
During a Q&A on gun violence, an unknown rooftop shooter shot him in the neck. The gunshot caused many to scramble, bow their heads, and seek shelter while the activist bled to death. Utah Governor Spencer Cox described this murder as a political assassination and condemned the act.
“This is a dark day for our state. It’s a tragic day for our nation,” said Utah Gov. Spencer Cox. “I want to be very clear: this is a political assassination.”
President Donald Trump was briefed on the situation at the White House and expressed deep disturbance over the tragedy. He blamed the act on the “radical left.”
“For years, those on the radical left have compared wonderful Americans like Charlie to Nazis and the world’s worst mass murderers and criminals,” he said in a video message last night. “This kind of rhetoric is directly responsible for the terrorism that we’re seeing in our country today, and it must stop right now.”
As of yesterday, no suspects remain in custody for the shooting. Earlier, two suspects were apprehended but released after authorities determined they had no connection to the shooting. The campus remains on lockdown as heavily armed officers roam the area, going door to door in search of the shooter.
Charlie Kirk is survived by two children and his wife. The activist began his political journey at age 18 when he started Turning Point, a program aimed at spreading conservative ideals at liberal-leaning U.S. colleges. His social media presence and daily podcast often featured clips of him debating students on issues like transgender identity, climate change, faith, and family values.
He firmly opposed abortion and promoted anti-transgender views, seeing transgenderism as a threat to American society. He supported family values and strongly believed in Americans’ right to own guns, viewing it as a necessary Second Amendment right.
While some leftists on social media celebrated his death, many mourned the loss of the conservative believer who encouraged critical thinking among youth, and fostered debates and exploration of ideas.
“His entire project was built on reaching across the divide and using speech, not violence, to address and resolve the issues!” William Wolfe, executive director of the Center for Baptist Leadership, posted on X.
In a post on X, Trump wrote, “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. 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!”
