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 an American right-wing political activist, entrepreneur, and media personality. He is known for co-founding the conservative organization Turning Point USA (TPUSA) in 2012, where he served as executive director. Kirk also published books and hosted 'The Charlie Kirk Show.' He is a prominent figure in the MAGA movement within the Republican Party and is regarded as an icon of contemporary conservatism.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

2010: Volunteered for Mark Kirk's U.S. Senate campaign

In 2010, during his junior year at Wheeling High School, Kirk volunteered for the U.S. Senate campaign of Illinois Republican Mark Kirk. During his junior year, he also began listening to The Rush Limbaugh Show.

May 2012: Speech at Benedictine University and Meeting Bill Montgomery

In May 2012, 18-year-old Kirk gave a speech at Benedictine University's "Youth Government Day" and met Bill Montgomery, who encouraged him to pursue political activism full-time. This event was a turning point in Kirk's career.

2012: Co-founded Turning Point USA

In 2012, Charlie Kirk co-founded Turning Point USA (TPUSA), a conservative organization, and became its executive director. This marked a significant career milestone for Kirk.

2016: Publication of "Time for a Turning Point"

In 2016, Charlie Kirk co-wrote the book "Time for a Turning Point: Setting a Course Toward Free Markets and Limited Government for Future Generations" with Brent Hamachek, published by Post Hill Press.

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

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2018: Publication of "Campus Battlefield"

In 2018, Charlie Kirk wrote the book "Campus Battlefield: How Conservatives Can WIN the Battle on Campus and Why It Matters", published by Post Hill Press, with a foreword by Donald Trump Jr.

May 2019: Preparing to Launch Turning Point Action

In May 2019, reports indicated that Kirk was preparing to launch Turning Point Action, a 501(c)(4) entity designed to elect more conservatives. This marked a significant expansion of TPUSA's activities.

July 2019: Acquisition of Students for Trump

In July 2019, 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 mobilize the youth vote for the 2020 Trump reelection campaign.

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

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

October 2020: Launched 'The Charlie Kirk Show'

In October 2020, Kirk launched 'The Charlie Kirk Show', a daily three-hour radio talk show on Salem Media Group's "The Answer" radio channel. It became a popular podcast.

2020: Publication of "The MAGA Doctrine"

In 2020, Charlie Kirk wrote "The MAGA Doctrine: The Only Ideas That Will Win the Future", which was published by Harper Collins. The book received mixed reviews.

2021: TPUSA Announces Online Academy

In 2021, TPUSA announced the launch of an online academy as an alternative to schools with "anti-American ideas", called Turning Point Academy, intending to cater to families seeking an "America-first education".

2021: Founded Turning Point Faith

In 2021, after Liberty University did not renew Kirk's contract, Kirk and Rob McCoy founded Turning Point Faith to encourage pastors and church leaders to be active in politics.

December 2022: Announced the Mount Vernon Project

In December 2022, Kirk announced the Mount Vernon Project, an initiative by Turning Point Action to remove members from the Republican National Committee who were not "grassroot conservatives".

2022: Publication of "The College Scam"

In 2022, "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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April 2024: Created TikTok account

In April 2024, Charlie Kirk created a TikTok account after previously expressing skepticism. His account gained popularity after he posted numerous videos of himself talking to college students on his campus tours, with some videos garnering as many as 50 million views.

November 2024: Donald Trump Jr. joined 1789 Capital

In November 2024, Donald Trump Jr. joined 1789 Capital, an investment firm in which Kirk was an early investor, after Trump won the 2024 election.

2024: Achieved Goal of Shifting Youth Vote

By 2024, TPUSA achieved its goal of shifting the youth vote at least 10 points toward Republicans, as mentioned by Kirk in an interview with Gavin Newsom in March 2025.

2024: Release of "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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February 2025: Signed with Trinity Broadcasting Network

In February 2025, Charlie Kirk signed with the Trinity Broadcasting Network to host a weekday talk show, Charlie Kirk Today.

March 2025: Appointed to U.S. Air Force Academy Board of Visitors

In March 2025, Trump appointed Charlie Kirk to the U.S. Air Force Academy Board of Visitors.

March 2025: Interview with Gavin Newsom

In March 2025, during an interview with Gavin Newsom, Kirk discussed the ideological imbalance on college campuses and TPUSA's goal to shift the youth vote toward Republicans.

July 15, 2025: Interviewed about Jeffrey Epstein and pressured Trump's administration

On July 15, 2025, Kirk conducted extensive interviews about Jeffrey Epstein on his podcast and pressured Trump's administration to release more information. By then, Kirk was one of the most prominent figures in the MAGA movement.

December 2025: Scheduled Release of "Stop, in the Name of God"

Charlie Kirk's book, titled "Stop, in the Name of God: Why Honoring the Sabbath Will Transform Your Life", is slated to be released by Winning Team Publishing in December 2025.

Stop, in the Name of God: Why Honoring the Sabbath Will Transform Your Life

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2025: Executive Director of Turning Point USA

In 2025, Kirk remained the executive director, chief fundraiser, and public face of Turning Point USA until his death. In 2025, TPUSA reported having chapters at more than 2,000 college and high school campuses.