Career Timeline of Charlie Kirk: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Charlie Kirk built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Charlie Kirk is a prominent American conservative activist, author, and media figure. He co-founded Turning Point USA (TPUSA) in 2012 and currently serves as its executive director. He holds leadership positions in several related organizations, including CEO of 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. Kirk's work primarily focuses on promoting conservative principles and engaging young people in politics.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

2010: Volunteering for Mark Kirk's Senate Campaign

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

2012: Meeting Foster Friess at the Republican National Convention

At the 2012 Republican National Convention, Charlie Kirk met Foster Friess, a prominent Republican donor, and persuaded him to finance Turning Point USA (TPUSA).

2012: Co-founding Turning Point USA

In 2012, Charlie Kirk co-founded Turning Point USA (TPUSA) at the age of 18, becoming its CEO, chief fundraiser, and public face.

2012: Turning Point USA Founded

In 2012, Charlie Kirk founded Turning Point USA (TPUSA), a conservative student organization.

October 2016: Participated in Pro-Trump Fox News Event

In October 2016, Charlie Kirk participated in a Fox News event with Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, and Lara Trump, which had a pro-Donald Trump slant.

2016: Addressed Republican National Convention

In 2016, Charlie Kirk addressed the Republican National Convention and stated that although he wasn't a big fan of Donald Trump, he would still vote for him. Kirk also assisted with travel and media arrangements for Donald Trump Jr. during the campaign.

2016: Co-Authored '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. The book was 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: Turning Point Endowment Inc. Formed

In 2017, Turning Point Endowment Inc. was formed with the mission to support and benefit Turning Point USA's charitable purposes and long-term vitality.

May 2019: Preparing to Launch Turning Point Action

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

July 2019: Acquisition of Students for Trump

In July 2019, Charlie Kirk announced that Turning Point Action had acquired Students for Trump along with "all associated media assets".

November 2019: Co-founded 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.

2019: Turning Point Action Founded

In 2019, Charlie Kirk founded Turning Point Action, a political advocacy arm, expanding his influence.

September 2020: Council for National Policy Member

In September 2020, Charlie Kirk became the William F. Buckley, Jr. Council Member of the Council for National Policy (CNP).

October 2020: The Charlie Kirk Show

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

2020: Trump Reelection Campaign

In 2020, after acquiring Students for Trump in July 2019, Charlie Kirk launched a campaign to recruit one million students for the 2020 Trump reelection campaign, which was ultimately unsuccessful.

December 7, 2021: Podcast Ranked on Apple Podcasts

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

2021: Turning Point Academy Announced

In 2021, Turning Point USA (TPUSA) announced an online academy, Turning Point Academy, targeting students with an "America-first education."

2021: Founding Turning Point Faith

In 2021, after Liberty University did not renew Kirk's contract with the Falkirk Center for Faith and Liberty, Kirk founded Turning Point Faith, an organization dedicated to recruiting pastors and church leaders to be active in political issues.

December 2022: Warned RNC About Grassroots Voters

In December 2022, Charlie Kirk cautioned the Republican National Committee (RNC) that they needed to heed the concerns of their grassroots voters or risk facing the consequences of ignoring them.

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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2022: Partnership for Turning Point Academy Ends

In 2022, the partnership between Arizona education firm StrongMind and Turning Point USA to open Turning Point Academy ended after StrongMind received backlash.

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 Rankings

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