Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Charlie Kirk

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Charlie Kirk.

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

1964: Civil Rights Act of 1964

Charlie Kirk condemned the Civil Rights Act of 1964 calling its passage a 'huge mistake'.

1964: Criticism of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Charlie Kirk voiced criticism of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, aligning with his broader conservative stances. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

2016: Opposition to the Paris Agreement

In 2016, Charlie Kirk opposed the Paris Agreement on climate change.

2017: Admission of TPUSA Accepting Fossil Fuel Funding

In 2017, Charlie Kirk admitted that Turning Point USA (TPUSA) had accepted funding from the fossil fuel industry.

November 22, 2019: Marriage Definition

On November 22, 2019, Charlie Kirk stated his belief that "marriage is one man, one woman", while also advocating for the inclusion of gay individuals within the conservative movement.

2019: Professor Watchlist Briefly Suspended

In 2019, the Professor Watchlist, published by TPUSA, was briefly suspended by its web host. Critics say this and the School Board Watchlist threaten academic freedom.

2020: Promotion of False Claims of Electoral Fraud

In 2020, Charlie Kirk promoted false claims of electoral fraud, aligning himself with Trumpist stances and contributing to controversies surrounding the U.S. presidential election.

2020: ProPublica Investigation of TPUSA's Finances

In 2020, ProPublica investigated TPUSA's finances and found "misleading financial claims," that audits were not independent, and that leaders had enriched themselves. Kirk's salary increased significantly, and he bought an $855,000 condo. TPUSA had $39.2 million in revenue.

January 5, 2021: Turning Point Action Sends Buses to D.C.

On January 5, 2021, the day before the Capitol attack, Kirk announced that Turning Point Action and Students for Trump were sending buses of patriots to D.C. to "fight for this president". Julie Fancelli provided $1.25 million to fund the buses. Kirk also paid Kimberly Guilfoyle $60,000 to speak at the rally.

2021: Promotion of Climate Change Denial in TPUSA Video

In 2021, a Turning Point USA video featuring Charlie Kirk claimed there is "no factual data to back up global warming" and that scientists do not know the cause.

December 2022: Testified Before January 6 Committee

In December 2022, Kirk appeared before the U.S. House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack and pleaded the Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination. Ali Alexander blamed Kirk and TPUSA for financing travel to the Save America rally.

2022: Warning that Climate Activism Would Erode American Sovereignty

In 2022, Charlie Kirk warned that climate activism would erode American sovereignty and private property, describing it as a Trojan Horse for Marxism.

2022: Controversies Surrounding Twitter Account

In 2022, Kirk's Twitter account was flagged under "do not amplify", limiting its reach on the platform. Also in 2022, Kirk called for a patriot to bail out of jail the man who attacked Nancy Pelosi's husband.

February 2023: Brookings Institution Study

In February 2023, a Brookings Institution study found that Kirk's podcast contained the second-highest proportion of false, misleading, and unsubstantiated statements among prominent political podcasters.

November 2023: Remarks on Jewish Communities and Anti-Whiteness

In November 2023, Charlie Kirk stated that Jewish communities were promoting the same type of hatred against whites that they purportedly wanted to stop. He also claimed that Jewish donors largely financed the philosophical basis of anti-whiteness.

2023: Promotion of Conspiracy Theory

Shortly after the October 7 attacks on Israel in 2023, Charlie Kirk promoted a conspiracy theory alleging the Israeli government knew that Hamas was going to launch the attack.

June 8, 2024: Criticism of Ms. Rachel's Pride Month Post

On June 8, 2024, Charlie Kirk criticized YouTuber Ms. Rachel on The Charlie Kirk Show for a Pride Month post that quoted the Bible verse "love thy neighbor". Kirk argued she was being selective and referenced Leviticus 18, which mentions stoning for those who lay with another man. Kirk also called being gay an "error" and likened the LGBTQ pride movement to encouraging drug addicts.

November 2024: Apology to the Russian People

In November 2024, Charlie Kirk issued an "apology" to the Russian people, asserting that most Americans do not want war with Russia and that those who do are a minority losing power.

April 2025: Concerns over Crackdowns on Campuses

In April 2025, Charlie Kirk voiced concerns that the Trump administration's crackdowns on campuses, in response to pro-Palestinian protests, threatened free speech and weaponized antisemitism.

May 1, 2025: Skepticism over U.S. Intelligence Community

On May 1, 2025, during The Charlie Kirk Show, Charlie Kirk expressed skepticism regarding the U.S. intelligence community's claims about Iran's nuclear capabilities. He questioned trusting them so quickly after past misrepresentations.

May 2025: Opposition to Anti-BDS Laws

In May 2025, Charlie Kirk opposed a bipartisan bill to expand anti-BDS laws, arguing that it would "only create more antisemitism, and play into growing narratives that Israel is running the U.S. government."

June 2025: Playing the Middle Way amid MAGA Movement Infights

Prior to the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June 2025, amidst infights over foreign policy within the MAGA movement, Charlie Kirk played the middle way between criticizing U.S. involvement while maintaining "full and complete trust" in Trump.

July 2025: Warnings Against Hatred of Jews and Accusations of Antisemitism

In July 2025, Charlie Kirk cautioned his followers against hating Jews, denouncing it as "evil" and "demonic." He highlighted his long record of support for Israel and opposition to antisemitism. Nevertheless, Kirk was also accused of antisemitism, with the Anti-Defamation League claiming he provided a platform for extremists and far-right conspiracy theorists.

August 2025: Disagreement with Trump's Decision to Send Military Aid to Ukraine

In August 2025, Charlie Kirk expressed his disagreement with Trump's decision to send more military aid to Ukraine, questioning why they would support it after opposing it under Biden. He also referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a "CIA puppet" and a "gangster."

August 2025: Called for the elimination of Jasmine Crockett's congressional district

In August 2025, Kirk called for the elimination of Jasmine Crockett's congressional district as a part of the 2025 Texas redistricting, justifying the erasure of her district by claiming she was a part of an "attempt to eliminate the white population in this country".

September 9, 2025: Accusations About Attacks

On September 9, 2025, Charlie Kirk, while discussing the killing of Iryna Zarutska, claimed Democrats spread a "false narrative" of relentless assaults against Black people by white people, asserting white individuals are more likely to be attacked by Black individuals.

September 10, 2025: Death of Charles James Kirk

On September 10, 2025, Kirk was assassinated while speaking at a TPUSA public debate event at Utah Valley University. His death led to international attention and condemnation of political violence. Trump announced that Kirk would posthumously receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

September 10, 2025: Assassination at TPUSA debate

On September 10, 2025, Kirk was assassinated while speaking at a TPUSA public debate event on the Utah Valley University campus. The assassination sparked international attention, and he was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

2025: Statements on Taking Taiwan

In 2025, Charlie Kirk told his listeners, "I would say, sadly if we took Taiwan, it would probably start a nuclear war. Our leaders have largely mishandled China. We probably should have taken it in 1950 right after World War II."