History of Charlie Kirk in Timeline

Charlie Kirk is an American conservative political activist, author, and media personality known for his right-wing populist views. He co-founded Turning Point USA (TPUSA) in 2012 and serves as its executive director. Kirk also holds CEO positions in Turning Point Action, Turning Point Academy, and Turning Point Faith, as well as president of Turning Point Endowment. Additionally, he is a member of the Council for National Policy. His work primarily focuses on promoting conservative principles and engaging young people in political activism.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1964: Civil Rights Act of 1964

In December 2023, Charlie Kirk condemned the Civil Rights Act of 1964, calling its passage a "huge mistake" and alleging that it had created a "permanent DEI-type bureaucracy".

1988: Erika Frantzve's birth

In 1988, Erika Frantzve, who would later become Charlie Kirk's wife, was born.

October 14, 1993: Birth of Charles James Kirk

On October 14, 1993, Charles James Kirk was born. He is now known as an American conservative political activist, author, and media personality.

2010: Volunteered for Mark Kirk's Senate Campaign

In 2010, during his junior year at Wheeling High School, Charlie Kirk volunteered for the U.S. Senate campaign of Illinois Republican Mark Kirk.

2012: Met Bill Montgomery and Foster Friess

In 2012, Charlie Kirk met Bill Montgomery, who encouraged him to engage in political activism full-time. Later that year, at the Republican National Convention, Kirk met Foster Friess, who financed the establishment of Turning Point USA.

2012: Erika Frantzve won Miss Arizona USA

In 2012, Erika Frantzve, who would later become Charlie Kirk's wife, won the Miss Arizona USA pageant competition.

2012: Co-founded Turning Point USA

In 2012, at the age of 18, Charlie Kirk co-founded Turning Point USA and has served as its CEO, chief fundraiser, and public face since then.

October 2016: Participated in a Pro-Trump Fox News event

In October 2016, Charlie Kirk participated in a Fox News event alongside Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, and Lara Trump, adopting a pro-Donald Trump stance.

2016: Addressed 2016 Republican National Convention, supported Trump

In 2016, Charlie Kirk addressed the Republican National Convention, stating that while he wasn't a big fan of Donald Trump, he would vote for him. He assisted with travel and media arrangements for Donald Trump Jr., signaling a shift in support.

2016: Co-wrote 'Time for a Turning Point'

In 2016, Charlie Kirk co-wrote "Time for a Turning Point: Setting a Course Toward Free Markets and Limited Government for Future Generations" with Brent Hamachek, published by Simon & Schuster.

Time for a Turning Point: Setting a Course Toward Free Markets and Limited Government for Future Generations

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2017: Formation of Turning Point Endowment Inc.

Turning Point Endowment Inc. was formed in 2017 as an organization to support and benefit Turning Point USA's charitable purposes and long-term vitality.

July 7, 2018: Falsely Claimed Increase in Human Trafficking Arrests

On July 7, 2018, Charlie Kirk falsely claimed on social media that Justice Department statistics showed an increase in human trafficking arrests, which he later deleted after it was debunked.

December 2018: Falsely Claimed Yellow Vest Protesters Chanted 'We want Trump'

In December 2018, Charlie Kirk falsely claimed that protesters in the French yellow vests movement chanted "We want Trump."

2018: Secular views on LGBT issues in 2018

According to a 2024 NBC News report, in 2018, Charlie Kirk was relatively secular regarding LGBT issues.

2018: Listed on Forbes 30 Under 30

In 2018, Charlie Kirk was listed on the Forbes 30 Under 30 in Law & Policy.

2018: Published 'Campus Battlefield'

In 2018, Charlie Kirk wrote "Campus Battlefield: How Conservatives Can WIN the Battle on Campus and Why It Matters", with the foreword written by Donald Trump Jr. It received negative reviews.

May 2019: Awarded honorary degree from Liberty University

In May 2019, Charlie Kirk was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Humanities (D.Hum.) from Liberty University.

May 2019: Preparing to Launch Turning Point Action

In May 2019, it was reported that Charlie Kirk was preparing to launch Turning Point Action, a 501(c)(4) entity designed to target Democrats.

July 2019: Acquired Students for Trump

In July 2019, Charlie Kirk announced that Turning Point Action had acquired Students for Trump along with "all associated media assets". He became chairman and launched a campaign to recruit one million students for the 2020 Trump re-election campaign.

July 2019: Became chairman of Students for Trump

In July 2019, Charlie Kirk became the chairman of Students for Trump, which was acquired by Turning Point Action. He then launched a campaign with the goal to recruit one million students for the 2020 Trump reelection campaign.

October 2019: Claimed to Never Say Something He Said

At a New Hampshire Turning Point event featuring Rand Paul in October 2019, Charlie Kirk claimed that he never said he was denied entry to West Point due to a less-qualified candidate of a different gender and persuasion, contradicting previous statements.

November 2019: Co-founded the Falkirk Center for Faith and Liberty

In November 2019, Charlie Kirk and Jerry Falwell Jr. co-founded the "Falkirk Center for Faith and Liberty", a right-wing think-tank funded, owned and housed by Liberty University.

August 2020: Falwell resigned as president of Liberty University

In August 2020, Jerry Falwell resigned as president of Liberty University after students and alumni raised objections about the organization's aggressive political tone, which they considered to be inconsistent with the university's mission.

August 2020: Comments on Democrats closing campuses

In August 2020, during a Council for National Policy meeting, Charlie Kirk stated that Democrats had made a "foolish" decision by closing college campuses, alleging it would hinder ballot harvesting and voter fraud, reducing potential votes.

October 2020: Began Hosting "The Charlie Kirk Show"

In October 2020, Charlie Kirk began hosting "The Charlie Kirk Show", a daily three-hour radio talk show, on Salem Media's "The Answer" radio channel.

November 5, 2020: Led Stop the Steal protest in Phoenix

On November 5, 2020, immediately after Donald Trump lost the presidential election, Charlie Kirk led a "Stop the Steal" protest at the Maricopa Tabulation Center in Phoenix, promoting false claims of election fraud.

2020: False claims about COVID-19 and social distancing

In 2020, Charlie Kirk made multiple false claims regarding COVID-19, including alleging that the WHO covered up information, falsely claiming hydroxychloroquine was effective, and asserting social distancing prohibitions in churches were a "Democratic plot against Christianity." He also refused to abide by mask requirements due to questioning the science behind them.

2020: Spread false information about COVID-19

In 2020, Charlie Kirk spread false information and conspiracy theories about COVID-19 on social media, including criticism of Democrats regarding Donald Trump's withdrawal of WHO funding and referring to COVID-19 as the "China virus".

2020: Considered a social influencer in Giuliani's plan

In 2020, Charlie Kirk was considered a "big name" social influencer in Rudy Giuliani's communications plan to overturn the 2020 election.

2020: Published 'The MAGA Doctrine'

In 2020, Charlie Kirk's book "The MAGA Doctrine: The Only Ideas That Will Win the Future" was published.

2020: Unsuccessful student recruitment effort for Trump's reelection

In 2020, Charlie Kirk's effort to recruit one million students for Trump's reelection campaign proved unsuccessful, leading to TPUSA and the Trump campaign blaming each other for the decline in youth support for Trump.

2020: ProPublica Investigated TPUSA Finances

In 2020, ProPublica investigated the finances of Turning Point USA (TPUSA) and alleged misleading financial claims and self-enrichment by leaders, including Charlie Kirk. The report noted that Kirk's salary had increased significantly, and he had purchased an $855,000 condo.

2020: Falkirk Center's political advertisements

In 2020, the Falkirk Center spent at least $50,000 on political Facebook advertisements promoting Trump and Republican candidates.

January 5, 2021: Turning Point Action sent buses to D.C. protest

On January 5, 2021, the day before the storming of the United States Capitol, Charlie Kirk tweeted that Turning Point Action and Students for Trump were sending buses of people to Washington D.C. to fight for the president. Julie Fancelli gave Kirk's organization $1.25 million to fund the buses to the January 6 event.

February 2021: CNP Membership Directory Leak

In February 2021, a September 2020 membership directory of the Council for National Policy (CNP) was leaked, identifying Charlie Kirk as the William F. Buckley, Jr. Council Member.

May 2021: Married Erika Frantzve

In May 2021, Charlie Kirk married Erika Frantzve, a podcaster and businesswoman.

May 2021: Urged parents to protest at school board meetings

In May 2021, Charlie Kirk tweeted, urging parents to protest at school board meetings and push back on mask mandates and the teaching of critical race theory.

July 2021: Promoted misleading claims about COVID-19 vaccines

In July 2021, Charlie Kirk promoted misleading claims about the efficacy and safety of COVID-19 vaccines. On Fox News' Tucker Carlson show, Kirk referred to mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirements for students as "medical apartheid."

October 5, 2021: Called George Floyd a Scumbag

On October 5, 2021, during the Minnesota leg of the "Exposing Critical Racism Tour", Charlie Kirk called George Floyd a "scumbag" and appeared to refer to the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.

October 2021: Comments on Democrats' societal goals

In October 2021, on his podcast, Charlie Kirk stated that Democrats wanted Americans to live in a state where there is no cultural identity, sexual anarchy prevails, private property is nonexistent, and the ruling class controls everything. He later released a statement on the Claremont Institute's website doubling down on his remarks.

December 7, 2021: 'The Charlie Kirk Show' ranked highly

As of December 7, 2021, "The Charlie Kirk Show" podcast was ranked as the 21st most popular podcast on Apple Podcasts.

2021: Founded Turning Point Faith

In 2021, Charlie Kirk founded Turning Point Faith after his contract with the Falkirk Center for Faith and Liberty was not renewed. Turning Point Faith is dedicated to recruiting pastors and church leaders to be active in political issues.

2021: TPUSA announced Turning Point Academy

In 2021, Turning Point USA (TPUSA) announced the launch of Turning Point Academy, an online academy targeted towards students. TPUSA partnered with StrongMind, however the partnership ended after StrongMind received backlash.

2021: Liberty University did not renew Kirk's contract and renamed the organization

In late 2020, Liberty University did not renew Charlie Kirk's one-year contract and, in 2021, renamed the Falkirk Center to "Standing for Freedom Center".

February 2022: Comments at CPAC on southern border versus Ukrainian border

At the February 2022 Conservative Political Action Conference, Charlie Kirk stated that "The southern border matters a lot more than the Ukrainian border" and that "In fact, I want every Republican leader who comes up on stage the next couple days to call what's happening on the southern border an invasion because two million people waltzed into our country last year."

February 2022: Characterized the conflict in Ukraine as a border dispute

In February 2022, after Russia invaded Ukraine, Charlie Kirk characterized the conflict as a "border dispute" and spread false claims from Russian state media alleging that Ukraine was firing mortar shells at a Russian separatist enclave.

August 2022: Birth of first child

In August 2022, Charlie Kirk and Erika Frantzve welcomed their first child, a daughter.

December 2022: Warned the Republican National Committee

In December 2022, Charlie Kirk warned the Republican National Committee that they needed to listen to their grassroots voters or face the consequences of ignoring them, saying that the Republican party would be stunted if ignored.

2022: Remarks on romantic relationships for women

At the TPUSA Young Women's Leadership Summit 2022 Conference, Charlie Kirk stated that the "biblical model" for women in romantic relationships is a partner who is "a protector and a leader," suggesting conservative men can be found within Turning Point USA chapters.

2022: Twitter Files alleged censorship

In 2022, "The Twitter Files" were released by journalist Bari Weiss, alleging that Twitter censored conservative personalities. Charlie Kirk's Twitter account was allegedly flagged under "do not amplify".

2022: Published 'The College Scam'

In 2022, Charlie Kirk's fourth book, "The College Scam: How America's Universities Are Bankrupting and Brainwashing Away the Future of America's Youth" was published.

The College Scam: How America's Universities Are Bankrupting and Brainwashing Away the Future of America's Youth

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February 2023: Kirk's podcast contained misleading statements

A February 2023 Brookings Institution study found Charlie Kirk's podcast contained the second-highest proportion of false, misleading and unsubstantiated statements among 36,603 episodes produced by 79 prominent political podcasters.

December 2023: Described Martin Luther King Jr. as "awful"

In December 2023, Charlie Kirk used a speech at AmericaFest to describe Martin Luther King Jr. as "awful" and condemned the Civil Rights Act of 1964, calling its passage a "huge mistake".

The Age of Entitlement: America Since the Sixties

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May 2024: Birth of second child

In May 2024, Charlie Kirk and Erika Frantzve had their second child, a son.

2024: Report on stance on LGBT issues

According to a 2024 NBC News report, Charlie Kirk shifted towards more socially conservative stances. Kirk has argued there is an "LGBTQ agenda", and opposes gay marriage.

2024: Released 'Right Wing Revolution'

In 2024, Charlie Kirk's book, "Right Wing Revolution: How to Beat the Woke and Save the West", was released.

Right Wing Revolution: How to Beat the Woke and Save the West

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2024: Podcast Statistics Reported

In 2024, NBC News reported that internal data showed Charlie Kirk's podcast is downloaded between 500,000 and 750,000 times each day and is ranked No. 13 on Apple Podcasts for news.

2024: Blamed DEI programs for aviation issues

In January 2024, Charlie Kirk blamed DEI programs for national aviation issues and expressed skepticism about the qualifications of Black pilots. His comments resulted in conflict with the Republican National Committee over outreach to Black voters.

2024: "You're Being Brainwashed" Tour

Prior to the 2024 presidential election, Charlie Kirk undertook the "You're being brainwashed" tour, visiting around 25 college campuses to engage with students. Turning Point Action claimed the tour produced around two billion viral views on social media. Kirk also aided the President-elect in choosing leadership positions for his administration.