Charlie Kirk gets shot while attending university event

(MENAFN) Charlie Kirk, a leading conservative commentator, was fatally shot on Wednesday while attending an event at Utah Valley University. He was widely recognized as a major figure in the American conservative youth movement, amassing millions of followers across social media platforms.

At 31, Kirk co-founded the nonprofit Turning Point USA in 2012, an organization aimed at engaging conservative students on high school and college campuses. Its mission is described as working to “identify, educate, train, and organize students to promote the principles of fiscal responsibility, free markets, and limited government.” Under Kirk’s leadership as executive director, the group became influential in Republican politics, hosting large-scale conferences and drawing attention from prominent figures associated with former President Donald Trump. Kirk himself became a prominent voice within the MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement.

Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, Kirk left college early to dedicate himself fully to political activism. He cultivated a significant following through campus appearances, social media engagement, and his talk show and podcast, The Charlie Kirk Show. He gained a reputation for hosting confrontational debates on college campuses, including his “prove me wrong” sessions as part of the “American Comeback Tour,” where he engaged audiences in public discussions. The shooting at Utah Valley University took place during one of these debates.

A strong supporter of Trump, Kirk delivered remarks at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, addressing issues affecting younger Americans. “According to current projections, one-third of today’s young Americans will never get married,” he stated, highlighting financial pressures on the younger generation. He also added, “The American dream has become a luxury item for the wealthy elite.”

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