Sept. 9, 2026, 5:34 p.m. ET
Revisit Kirk’s political career starting with his speech during the 2016 Republican National Convention at Quicken Loans Arena on July 18, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY
Charlie Kirk, a speaker for national conservative group Turning Point USA, gives his speech on Friday, Feb 2, 2018, at the Lory Student Center on campus at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo.
Timothy Hurst, The Coloradoan Via USA TODAY Network
Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, speaks during the Republican National Convention at the Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 24, 2020 in Washington
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Turning Point CEO Charlie Kirk speaks during the Turning Point USA’s Young Latino Leadership Summit at the Arizona Biltmore Resort in Phoenix on April 18, 2021.
Meg Potter/The Republic
Charlie Kirk walks out to cheering supporters during the first day of the AmericaFest hosted by Turning Point USA on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Phoenix.
Antranik Tavitian, The Republic Via USA TODAY Network
Charlie Kirk, left, and Sarah Palin, former governor of Alaska, right, hold a discussion during the second day of AmericaFest 2021 hosted by Turning Point USA on Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in Phoenix.
Antranik Tavitian, The Republic Via USA TODAY Network
Charlie Kirk, co-founder and president of Turning Point Action, speaks at the “Rally to Protect Our Elections!” at the Arizona Federal Theatre in Phoenix, July 24, 2021.
Benjamin Chambers, The Republic Via USA TODAY Network
Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, speaks during his Exposing Critical Racism Tour in Tillman Hall at Clemson University in Clemson, S.C. on November 1, 2021.
Ken Ruinard, Via The Greenville News Via USA TODAY NETWORK
Former President Donald Trump takes the stage for his speech in front of Charlie Kirk, the founder and president of Turning Point USA, during the Turning Point Action event at the Arizona Federal Theatre in Phoenix on July 24, 2021. This is Trump’s first post-presidency visit to Arizona.
David Wallace, The Republic Via USA TODAY Network
Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, speaks during a Unite and Win rally held by Turning Point Action at the Arizona Financial Theatre on Aug. 14, 2022, in Phoenix. Kirk and Pastor Rob McCoy of Newbury Park work in tandem to encourage pastors to become politically active.
Antranik Tavitian, The Republic Via USA TODAY Network
From left, Ron DeSantis, governor of Florida, Kari Lake, Republican candidate for governor of Arizona, and Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, greet attendees during a Unite and Win rally held by Turning Point Action at the Arizona Financial Theatre on Aug. 14, 2022, in Phoenix.
Antranik Tavitian/The Republic, The Republic Via USA TODAY Network
Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, smiles during a press conference on the pending lawsuit against the Scottsdale Unified School District announced outside the Arizona Superior Court building in Phoenix on May 5, 2022.
Monica D. Spencer, The Republic Via USA TODAY NETWORK
Charlie Kirk takes the stage during AmericaFest 2023 at the Phoenix Convention Center on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023.
Alex Gould/The Republic
Charlie Kirk speaks during the Turning Point Action general session at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Fla. July 2023.
Meghan McCarthy, The Palm Beach Post Via USA TODAY NETWORK
Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk walks on stage on Aug. 23, 2024, at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Ariz.
Owen Ziliak, The Republic Via USA TODAY NETWORK
Charlie Kirk waves to delegates after speaking on the first day of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on July 15, 2024. The RNC kicked off the first day of the convention with the roll call vote of the states.
Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Charlie Kirk waves to delegates after speaking on the first day of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on July 15, 2024. The RNC kicked off the first day of the convention with the roll call vote of the states.
Jasper Colt, USA TODAY
Charlie Kirk, Founder and President of Turning Point USA, addresses the crowd at a rally with US Senator and Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance during a campaign rally at Arizona Christian University Event Center in Glendale, Arizona, on July 31, 2024.
LAURA SEGALL, AFP Via Getty Images
US conservative political activist and YouTuber Charlie Kirk (R) holds a red cap supporting former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump as he arrives to attend a rally at Hurt Park next to the campus of Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia, on October 21, 2024.
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Charlie Kirk speaks at the Tucker Carlson Live Tour finale at Desert Diamond Arena on Oct. 31, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz.
Megan Mendoza, The Arizona Republic Via USA TODAY NETWORK
(L-R) Sergio Gor, Donald Trump Jr., Charlie Kirk, and Erika Frantzve watch on stage as The Village People perform YMCA during the Turning Point USA Inaugural-Eve Ball at the Salamander Hotel on January 19, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 47th U.S. president on January 20.
Samuel Corum, Getty Images
U.S. Vice President-elect JD Vance on stage with Charlie Kirk during the Turning Point USA Inaugural-Eve Ball at the Salamander Hotel on Jan. 19, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 47th U.S. president on Jan. 20.
Samuel Corum, Getty Images
Charlie Kirk speaks during the inauguration rally for President Donald Trump at Capital One Arena in Washington D.C., on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.
Sam Greene, The Cincinnati Enquirer Via USA Today Network
Conservative media podcaster Charlie Kirk met fans and took selfies with them after a rally for U.S. Senate candidate Nate Morris in Shepherdsville, Kentucky Monday morning. Kirk’s popularity was one of the reasons for the crowd’s big turnout on June 30, 2025.
Matt Stone, Courier Journal Via USA TODAY NETWORK
Conservative Charlie Kirk, CEO of Turning Point USA, gives a thumbs up as U.S. Senate candidate Nate Morris said Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell’s lifetime award given to him by the Kentucky GOP should be rescinded during a rally at the Paroquet Springs Conference Center in Shepherdsville, Kentucky on June 30, 2025
Matt Stone, Courier Journal Via USA TODAY NETWORK
Turning Point USA founder and CEO Charlie Kirk debates students during his American Comeback Tour event held at the Humanities Amphitheatre on the University of Tennessee’s campus in Knoxville on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Brianna Paciorka, News Sentinel On USA TODAY NETWORK
Charlie Kirk speaks during a rally hosted by Turning Point Action in support of U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs at Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix on May 31, 2025.
Diannie Chavez, The Republic Via USA TODAY NETWORK
Right-wing activist and commentator Charlie Kirk appears at what became his last speaking event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah on September 10, 2025.
Trent Nelson, The Salt Lake Tribune Via REUTERS
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