&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium "Right-wing's 'youth whisperer' and trusted Trump ally: Who was Charlie Kirk and what was his views on gun violence")
Right-wing activist and United States President Donald Trump ally Charlie Kirk was shot at an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday (Sep 10). He was immediately taken to the hospital after the incident but he succumbed to his injurues. US President Trump announced his death calling him a ‘patriot’ and the one who understood America and its youth. He was 31 and is survived by his wife Erika Frantzve whom he married in 2021. The couple have two children. Trump also announced that American flags at all state institutions will be flown at half-mast in his honour.
A suspect was taken into custody but was later released. Hours later, FBI Director Kash Patel said that "the subject" in the fatal shooting was in custody. In statements on social media, the university said the classes are suspended until further notice and urged students to leave the campus immediately.
Read More | 'How many shooters...': Trump ally Charlie Kirk was fatally shot while speaking about mass shootings
Who was Charlie Kirk?
Kirk was was a prominent right‑wing political activist, author, and one of the popular Trump ally. He was best known as the founder of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), a nonprofit that seeks to spread conservative ideas to students on US campuses. He launched it at age 18. Known for his staunch support of Donald Trump and provocative political style, Kirk was often described as the "youth whisperer" of the American right. He grew up in Illinois and first gained popularity after writing for Breitbart and appearing on Fox Business at age 17. Though he briefly attended college, he dropped out to pursue full-time activism.
Kirk hosted The Charlie Kirk Show, a three-hour daily radio programme since October 2020, ran via Turning Point Live. He once shared that he had “no money, no connections and no idea what I was doing” but TPUSA grew rapidly and changed his life. He has 5.2 million followers on X and 7.3 million followers on TikTok. Kirk, an advocate of Christian nationalism, opposed mask mandates, DEI programs, climate action, and the Civil Rights Act. He was involved in Trump’s 2024 campaign.
Trending Stories
)
Araghchi says Iran won the war, claims US ready to unlock $24 billion
)
FIFA World Cup 2026: Katy Perry offers a backstage look at her opening ceremony preparations
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Beyond Strait of Hormuz: How the Oman-Gujarat deep-sea pipeline could transform India's energy imports
)
Raakh ending explained: The final episode is far more devastating than it appears
)
Indian Air Force aircraft crashes in Assam’s Jorhat, killing 5 personnel
)
‘No food in the fridge’: Why Elon Musk, world’s first trillionaire, lives in 400 sq ft home?
)
'Beaten, stripped, whipped': Indian-origin man gets 34 years in jail for raping UK woman
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
China's Gaokao vs India's JEE: Comparing the world's toughest entrance examinations
)
From ballistic missiles to maritime threats: India successfully tests key defence technologies, enters elite club
)
Russia-Ukraine War: Kyiv Struggles To Replenish Frontline Forces, Turns To Foreign Recruits
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
FIFA World Cup 2026 opening ceremony: Shakira, Nora Fatehi, LISA and more-a look at all the performers of the night
)
Fact Check: Indian crew members aboard Liaki Freedom vessel attacked by missiles? MEA says...
)
Why Nepal joins Japan in banning Indian Mango imports & how it could impact exporters
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New Friday OTT releases (June 12, 2026): Raakh, Bhooth Bangla, Dridam- Watch these 6 movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video, JioHotstar and more
)
How RSI-India, inspired by MIT, is giving Indian school students a taste of cutting-edge research
)
FIFA 2026: Paraguay’s Bobadilla nets first own goal of ongoing World Cup
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
World's Safest Countries in 2026: Did India make it to the top 10? Here's where it ranks
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
FIFA World Cup 2026 Canada Opening Ceremony in pictures: Nora Fatehi, Alessia Cara dazzle with their performance
)
Israel rules out withdrawal from Lebanon, Syria and Gaza; Iran says proposed deal includes all fronts
)
Kate Middleton channels Princess Diana with blue dress at Trooping the Colour: In pics
)
UFO files: ‘Alien base’ on the moon’s dark side? Secret NASA audio recording from Apollo 16 reveals...
)
Mobile tower stolen in Bihar: Police probe bizarre theft in Buxar. This is what happened
)
India's $2 billion drone push: Why batteries could be biggest winner in defence-tech boom
)
'Israel not a party to deal' Netanyahu hails Trump assurances on Iran nuclear curbs, missile restrictions
)
Indian Govt to fund startup aiming to build Methane-LOX rocket engine
)
IMD tracks El Niño growth as concerns mount over India's rainfall outlook
)
Scientists discover world's largest 'whale graveyard' hidden 7km beneath the Indian Ocean
)
Iran declares SpaceX and Starlink assets in West Asia legitimate military targets
)
NEET aspirant posing as fake Brigadier walks into Army trap in UP, arrested – Here’s what happened
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How US fighter jet pilots can change a missile's target after launch
)
'Message from space': Did CIA destroy an alien message? Newly released UFO files reveal bizarre 1958 mystery
)
Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata Review: Kangana Ranaut throws light on untold side of 26/11 beyond Taj and Leopold
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Is it logically smarter to buy an electric car right now just to avoid fuel costs?
)
Mathematician who correctly predicted last 3 World Cup winners reveals FIFA World Cup 2026 champion
)
Trillionaire Elon Musk's net worth after SpaceX IPO equals 25 per cent of India's GDP and more than 160 countries' output
What was his views on Second Amendment, gun deaths
A video of Kirk's statements on the second amendment and gun deaths have surfaced after his death. In 2023, following the shooting at Christian Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee, which claimed six lives, Charlie Kirk commented on the harsh reality of gun violence in America. He acknowledged that maintaining Second Amendment rights comes with a cost. Kirk explained that having an armed citizenry inevitably means gun deaths will never be completely eliminated. He said it was important to recognise that “you're not going to get gun deaths to zero,” and added that reducing them significantly might be possible by strengthening family structures and increasing armed security in schools.
Kirk explained that living in a society with an armed population while expecting zero gun deaths was unrealistic, calling such expectations “nonsense” and “drivel.” However, he believed the trade-off was justified, stating, “I think it's worth it... to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the Second Amendment to protect our other God-given rights.” He described this as a “prudent deal” and criticised those who fail to acknowledge this reality as living “in a complete alternate universe.”
On preventing school shootings, Kirk admitted uncertainty but pointed out that armed guards have helped stop shootings at other public venues. He questioned why schools couldn’t have the same protection, noting, “How did we stop shootings at baseball games? Because we have armed guards outside of baseball games... How did we stop all the shootings at airports? We have armed guards outside of airports... If our money and our sporting events and our airplanes have armed guards, why don't our children?”
