Conservative Activist Charlie Kirk Shot Dead Utah Campus

Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA and a prominent conservative activist, was shot and killed during a campus event at Utah Valley University. Kirk, 31, was a close ally and friend of President Donald Trump and his family, credited with helping energize young conservative voters and significantly contributing to Trump's 2016 and 2024 campaigns. President Trump and Trump Jr. mourned Kirk's death, with Trump ordering flags to be flown at half-staff and Trump Jr. describing Kirk as a brother and a courageous, principled man whose impact on youth and conservative politics was profound. Kirk's efforts focused on mobilizing young conservatives, often encouraging them to question traditional paths like college, and he played a key role in vetting loyalists for the Trump administration. His death has been widely seen as a major loss to the conservative movement and to Trump’s inner circle, highlighting Kirk's influence and the close bond he shared with the president. Tributes emphasize Kirk's faith, dedication to family, and lasting legacy in shaping the direction of American conservatism under President Trump.