After news broke that Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and evangelical leader, had been assassinated Wednesday while speaking at a college campus in Utah, tributes to the 31-year-old father and husband poured in across the media landscape.
Kirk was struck down by a bullet as he spoke during an outdoor event at Utah Valley University in Orem, about 30 miles south of Salt Lake City. Kirk is survived by his wife, Erika, and two young children. Authorities announced they had arrested a suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, on Friday.
Kirk’s Turning Point USA organization is credited with helping shape the modern conservative political movement. Kirk consistently brought his faith in Jesus Christ into his public presentations, answering objections to the faith from all comers while also defending his political beliefs.
Franklin Graham addressed Kirk’s death on Wednesday during an appearance on the Trinity Broadcasting Network with Sheila Walsh.
“Charlie has graduated today,” Franklin told Walsh. “He’s in the presence of Almighty God. And he’s not there because he motivated people; he is not there because he was a good guy. I mean, he was a good guy. But that’s not how you get to Heaven.
“He’s in the presence of Almighty God, and he’s going to take hold of that mansion that the Lord Jesus prepared for him. He’s there right now. But he’s there because he put his faith and trust in Jesus Christ.”
“You see,” Franklin continued, “we’re all sinners, and we’re all under a death sentence from God. ‘The wages of the sin is death’ … And we see evidence of sin all around; we saw it today as Charlie was murdered.
“It just breaks your heart. My heart is broken for his wife, for his kids, but I praise God he’s in God’s presence …”
“I pray that God will raise up 10,000 more just like him that will go to all the college campuses and go out on the streets, and who will be a champion for the Lord Jesus Christ,” Franklin said.
Kirk was a fixture as a speaker on college campuses. He was known for having an outsized influence on Generation Z through those campus engagements. His appearance at Utah Valley University was the first in what was planned as a nationwide “American Comeback Tour” this fall on college campuses, sponsored by Kirk’s Turning Point USA organization.
Tributes to Kirk abounded as news of Kirk’s death spread.
Pastor Greg Laurie of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California, said in a statement: “The moment [Charlie] took his last breath here on earth, he took his first breath in the presence of the Lord. That is the hope we hold on to as believers—eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.
“Please join me in praying for Charlie’s wife and children during this unimaginable time. May the God of all comfort surround them with peace and strength.”
Jeff Myers, president of Summit Ministries, was traveling abroad when he heard that Kirk had been killed, he said in an email to Summit supporters.
“Charlie was a good friend of mine and of Summit Ministries. Each time we were on stage together, or backstage, Charlie shared of his faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. He was not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and are saved (Hebrews 10:39).”
“Charlie testified to the Lord Jesus Christ just seconds before he died,” Myers wrote. “He knew that his life might be taken from him for what he believed. Yours and mine might be as well. This life is but a vapor. Only what is done for Christ will last.”
President Trump, who had come to consider Kirk a close confidant, posted on Truth Social: “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”
At just 18, Kirk, who grew up in the Chicago suburbs, founded Turning Point USA as a youth organization with a commitment to conservative ideas and Biblical principles. Kirk was also known for befriending and engaging not only conservatives but people who opposed his views.
Last spring, for example, Kirk interviewed California Gov. Gavin Newsom on his podcast. This summer, Kirk also appeared on the podcast of comedian Bill Maher, who has been a vigorous skeptic of Christianity, arguing for the beauty of the Christian Gospel as the only hope for the world’s suffering. Maher wasn’t convinced, but Kirk gently and graciously prodded anyway.
Kirk, whose faith always preceded his political beliefs, posted on X Sept. 6: “Jesus defeated death so you can live.”
He told FOX News in August that he believed God is drawing many of Generation Z to Himself.
“We are seeing Gen Z go back to church in record numbers. We are seeing Christian revival that should give everyone in this audience hope. It’s the greatest thing happening in America right now.”