On September 10, 2025, Charlie Kirk, a right wing activist and founder of Turning Point USA was shot and killed at Utah Valley University (UVU). UVU was the first stop on Turning Point USA’s The American Comeback Tour. The tour was scheduled from early September through late October at various college campuses.
What is Turning Point USA?
Turning Point USA (TPUSA), according to ABC News, is a “conservative youth activist organization.” TPUSA’s website states that the non-profit organization aims “to identify, educate, train, and organize students to promote the principles of fiscal responsibility, free markets, and limited government.” Charlie Kirk founded the organization at 18 years old and it played a significant role in the 2024 presidential election, persuading young people to vote for President Donald Trump.
On September 10, Turning Point USA was at its first stop of a 15 school tour called The American Comeback Tour. This tour was a chance for students and attendees to debate with Kirk at a “Prove Me Wrong” table according to ABC News.
Kirk is known for this table and has been going to high school and college campuses for years. Because of this, he has grown a huge following on social media by recording and posting his debates according to KCCI.
Where did Charlie Kirk stand on political issues?
Some of Kirk’s most prominent debate topics, according to The Seattle Times, include Gender Identity, Gun Control, Climate Change and Free Speech.
“Kirk was a strong supporter of gun rights,” said The Seattle Times. They also mentioned, “Kirk was a self-declared supporter of free speech, and Turning Point USA was known for its free speech advocacy.” The same article also stated “in several instances, Kirk has used the First Amendment to sue universities that tried to block his presence.”
Kirk had a strong opinion about most topics that followed closely with conservative viewpoints. These stances helped draw in young conservatives in the 2024 presidential election. Fox News cited “a Democratic strategist who served on the Biden and Harris campaigns, pointed to Kirk’s large following and acknowledged that his efforts helped boost crucial youth turnout for Trump.”
“Turning Point Action, the political arm of Kirk’s conservative youth organization, was instrumental in boosting younger voter turnout for Trump in last year’s White House race” Fox News also stated.
President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance were close friends of Charlie Kirk and the three all looked up to one another while working throughout the 2024 election. “He didn’t just help us win in 2024, he helped us staff the entire government,” Vance wrote on X on September 10 in a tribute after Kirk’s death.
What does PR have to say?
Prairie Ridge students have seen his debates on various social media platforms. PR Wolf Prints posted an Instagram story poll asking, “Prior to Charlie Kirk’s death, where did you first hear about him?” TikTok was the most picked with 68% of the 83 votes. Instagram followed with 18% and 10% didn’t know about Kirk prior to the shooting. YouTube had the least amount with only 5%.
“I have watched Charlie Kirk’s debates for months now, maybe even a year,” a current junior said. Due to the recent community reactions on social media and at school board meetings, Wolf Prints will keep student quotes anonymous.
PR students have varying views on the shooting and Kirk’s overall influence, but all have expressed their condolences to both his family and those who were there.
“I think what happened is absolutely terrible, being killed to gun violence at a university in front of thousands of students, children, and citizens to the town is absolutely foul,” the same PR junior stated.
She continued, “I think he began to take politics out of his debates just to say disgusting, racist, misogynistic, and hateful things in front of large audiences.” His audiences were mainly young people and students, aiming to promote conservative ideals to young people.
While Kirk’s main focus was right-winged ideals, he welcomed those on all sides to debate anything they wanted to. A senior said, “I never agreed with Kirk but understand that where he was coming from was a place of genuine belief that he was speaking for the betterment of our country. Do I believe he did [speak for the betterment of our country]? No. I think his stance on gun rights was fallacious and harmful to the people of this country, and more specifically the children of this country who are killed more by guns than any other thing.”
A second PR junior also brought up children being killed by gun violence. “Just [the other] week 2 kids were murdered in Minnesota yet no one shows sympathy for them and their families.”
Charlie Kirk’s death brought a rise of people, both Republican and Democrats, to take to social media and state their opinion but also bring awareness to shootings that have happened recently.
“This event isn’t in isolation. This year we’ve seen an increase in political violence. Multiple people in both parties have faced the effects of political violence,” another junior mentioned.
Gun violence that has transcribed throughout the US recently is of concern, more than ever because of this tragic shooting. “I can’t believe it has taken one man to be killed before it’s being really intensely talked about, but I hope the conversation continues and there are some real legal changes put into place,” said a junior.
While some PR students didn’t agree with his ideals or motives, some did. In fact, some juniors are trying to start their own Turning Point USA club at Prairie Ridge. Whether this will happen is still up in the air, but they believe it’s important to continue to share his perspectives.
Overall, Charlie Kirk’s death brought a lot of issues and concerns to the surface, not just for people on social media, but students right here at Prairie Ridge.
.jpg#){kind=link}