Who was Charlie Kirk? The conservative star who mobilized the young right and harshly criticized the LGBT community
Thirty-one-year-old Charlie Kirk, one of the most prominent faces of the American conservative right, was shot and killed during a lecture at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, September 10. The incident, which police have described as a targeted attack, took place right during Kirk's "Prove Me Wrong" discussion event. Footage circulating on social media shows Kirk answering a question about mass shootings - the moment a gunshot rings out, he leans back in his chair violently and blood starts pouring from his neck.
Kirk was rushed to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Police evacuated the campus and arrested two suspects, but later released them. The manhunt for the shooter continues.
The young star of the American right
Charlie Kirk came to prominence at the age of 18 when he co-founded Turning Point USA (TPUSA). It set out to "fight leftist ideology" and spread conservative values among young people. In its twelve years of existence, TPUSA has become an influential force on college campuses, hosting hundreds of debates, retreats, and events for students.
Kirk quickly gained a reputation as an energetic speaker who could speak the language of his generation. His "Prove Me Wrong" format, where he encouraged students to argue against his positions, became a viral phenomenon, attracting both supporters and critics.
Politically, Kirk has profiled himself as a fierce advocate of Republican values: he has pushed for gun rights, restrictions on abortion, and support for Donald Trump. The latter became a close ally, speaking at TPUSA events several times and calling Kirk "the voice of young America."
A harsh critic of LGBTQ+ rights
A particular chapter of Kirk's career has been his statements about the LGBTQ+ community. He has been a vocal opponent of trans rights and queer inclusion measures.
In a series of public appearances, he referred to transgender identity as "a lie hurting children" and trans people as "giving God the middle finger." On his show on the Rumble platform, he claimed that the trans rights movement was part of a broader plan to "dehumanize" society and connect humans to machines - a conspiracy theory he described as "Ready Player One meets Inception."
Kirk also repeatedly used transphobic slurs, linked transgender identity to crime and violence, and called for a federal ban on health care for trans youth. In 2024, he even declared that the people who stormed the Capitol on January 6 "should have had gay sex to avoid arrest" - a statement that sparked widespread outrage.
The "anti-sexual anarchy" agenda
Kirk's ideology was based on a belief in a so-called "divine sexual order." In his articles and speeches, he argued that there were only two sexes, gender "fluidity" was a lie, and traditional marriage between a man and a woman was the only natural way. He also criticized Hollywood, the media and universities for being "corrupt" and spreading a progressive agenda.
Under his leadership, TPUSA has become a vocal advocate for laws restricting the rights of queer people in the U.S. - such as bans on trans women in sports or restrictions on gender affirmative care. Critics accused Kirk of contributing to the rise of hate and violence against LGBTQ+ people with his statements.
Reactions to his death
Kirk's death sparked immediate reactions across the political spectrum. President Donald Trump ordered the flags to be flown at half-mast and described Kirk as a "truly great American patriot". In statements, both Joe Biden and Barack Obama condemned the violence and expressed condolences to his family.
For the queer community in the U.S. and beyond, Kirk's death is viewed as contradictory. On the one hand, he was a man who managed to mobilise young people and had a profound impact on the conservative movement. On the other, he was a symbol of hatred and polarisation for many.
A legacy that will divide
Charlie Kirk remains one of the most prominent figures of the American right in the last decade. His organisations and statements have left their mark on the debate about what the future of the US should be - and what place LGBTQ+ people have in it. As such, his death is unlikely to close down the debate about the values he championed, but rather reignite it.
