Charlie Kirk, Right-Wing Activist, Dead at 31 After Utah Shooting: Stars & Politicians React

President Donald Trump announced Kirk's death on Truth Social, writing, "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!"

According to Utah authorities, per TMZ, Kirk died from injuries sustained during the shooting.

The often controversial conservative political activist was best known for co-founding Turning Point USA in 2012 when he was just 18 years old. It has since grown into one of the largest conservative organizations for high school and college students. He served as executive director.

He also founded Turning Point Action in 2019 as a political advocacy arm of TPUSA, serving as its CEO, in an effort to recruit students into political activism, and then did the same in 2021 as CEO of Turning Point Faith, this time targeting pastors and other church leaders.

He was a loud voice in support of President Trump, as well as conservative talking points like critical race theory, COVID-19 conspiracy theories, election fraud, and climate change denial. Kirk also hosted a popular podcast and cable news program, as well.

On January 5, 2021, Kirk posted on Twitter that TPA was sending 80 "buses of patriots to D.C. to fight for this president," though that wound up being seven buses with 350 students to the January 6 attack on the Capitol. Kirk later said that these events were not an insurrection, nor did they represent mainstream Trump supporters. He played a key role in Trump's successful 2024 election campaign, as well.

Kirk was listed as one of Forbes 30 Under 30 in the category of Law & Policy in 2018. He has written multiple books on conservative ideology, including Campus Battlefield: How Conservatives Can WIN the Battle on Campus and Why It Matters, The MAGA Doctrine: The Only Ideas That Will Win the Future, The College Scam: How America's Universities Are Bankrupting and Brainwashing Away the Future of America's Youth, and Right Wing Revolution: How to Beat the Woke and Save the West.

His podcast, The Charlie Kirk Show ranked as one of the top-rated on Apple Podcasts, with a February 2023 Brookings Institution Study stating that it contained the second-highest proportion of false, misleading and unsubstantiated statements among 79 prominent political podcasters. In February 2025, he signed to host a new TBN weekday talk show called Charlie Kirk Today.

In May 2021, Kirk married a fellow podcaster, Erika Frantzve, and former Miss Arizona USA winner. They welcomed their first child in August 2022, followed by a second in May 2024.

Following the news of his passing, celebrities and politicians from across the political spectrum took to social media to react.

Alongside a screenshot of Trump's Truth Social post, Vice President JD Vance wrote on X, "Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord."

Former President Joe Biden also shared a statement on X, writing, "There is no place in our country for this kind of violence. It must end now. Jill and I are praying for Charlie Kirk's family and loved ones.

Meghan McCain -- son of the late Senator John McCain -- posted a photo of Kirk with his family on Instagram. Alongside the post, she wrote, "I have no words. Ben and I are completely devastated over the news of Charlie’s passing. @charliekirk1776 was one of the best that ever was (truly) both personally and professionally. No one who met him wasn’t ever won over by him. He went out of his way to show me kindness and respect in all ways. He was someone that united all sides of the party and made sure all sides were brought over the finish line. The impact he has made on our political landscape, particularly with young people is incalculable. He literally got a President elected."

"May God be with his wife Erika and his children in complete strength and light," she added. "We pray for Charlie’s eternal rest with our Lord. You were a faithful servant, and happy warrior. May Christ bless your family always."

John F. Kennedy's grandson, Jack Schlossberg, posted on X, writing, "Charlie Kirk was assassinated today. we are all weaker because of it. A tragedy. I am thinking of his family."

Stephen Colbert was the first of the late-night hosts to address the shooting on his talk show, creating a special message that he attached to the start of his show, per Variety, which was otherwise recorded before Kirk's death.

"Good evening, everybody. After our scripts for tonight’s show were finished, we learned that Charlie Kirk, a prominent right-wing activist, was killed at a speaking engagement in Utah," Colbert said from behind his desk. "Our condolences go out to his family and all of his loved ones."

"I am old enough to personally remember the political violence of the 1960s, and I hope it is obvious to everyone in America that political violence does not solve any of our political differences. Political violence only leads to more political violence. And I pray with all my heart that this is the aberrant action of a madman and not a sign of things to come," Colbert added, before continuing with the previously-recorded show.

While the other late-night shows were also filmed too early to respond on the air, Jimmy Kimmel jumped on his socials to express his feelings "Instead of the angry finger-pointing, can we just for one day agree that it is horrible and monstrous to shoot another human?" he wrote. "On behalf of my family, we send love to the Kirks and to all the children, parents and innocents who fall victim to senseless gun violence."

On Thursday, in a post commemorating the anniversary of 9/11, Tim Allen also addressed Kirk's death -- writing, "On this sad and day remembering 9-11. I add a somber prayer for Charlie Kirks family. This is a very dark moment."

Country singer Jason Aldean, meanwhile, shared a photo of him and wife Brittany with Kirk, saying "it's been a hard day not only in our family, but all over the country."

"Charlie Kirk was one of the kindest, smartest and bravest people I've ever met. I'm honored to have met and spoke with him on a few occasions," he continued. "He was a man of peace and wanted nothing but the best for our country and its youth. We might have lost Charlie today but what he has done will live on forever. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, kids and the entire Kirk family."

Josh Duhamel posted a photo of Kirk with his family, captioning the post, "RIP Charlie Kirk. Please remember, no matter what your political beliefs, that this man had a wife and two beautiful children who no longer have him. Please pray for this madness to stop."

In the comments, Holly Robinson Peete added, "I certainly didn’t agree with his comments on black pilots or guns or pretty much anything he said but I would NEVER wish this on anyone. I'd like to have seen the same energy regarding Melissa Hortman and her husband and dog…. Political violence gun violence in this country is out of control and HORRIFIC!!!"

On X, Russell Brand called Kirk "a good, strange Christian man," before adding, "Dear God please comfort his family. This may be the Turning Point he dedicated his short life to. RIP 'Right-Wing Rainman.'"

Former race car driver and Trump supporter Danica Patrick also shared a lengthy tribute to Kirk, calling him a "great American, husband, father, leader, man of faith, business man, boss, speaker, and inspiration to millions."

She added, "His mission to bring conservative values into high schools and colleges helped make being a republican cool again in the youth. He was able to take a rally and turn it into a high energy fun party! He was able to take his vision and passion and turn it into reality. He built @turningpointsusa, got married, had two beautiful children, and became one of the most powerful influences in politics ... all by 31 years old. Remarkable."

She concluded, "God, please help us. And maybe I could also say ...Charlie, help us from heaven ... as his energy for gods work never seemed to run out."

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker also posted, sharing a screen shot of his texts with Kirk from October 2024. "Thank you for your strong witness for Christ, Charlie," Butker captioned the post. "Thank you for pursuing truth and leading your family as a husband and father. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen."

"My deepest love, compassion and empathy goes out to the Kirk family," wrote Alyssa Milano on Instagram. "Please refrain from commenting on this post if you’re going to spread more hate. Choose love. It starts with you."

You can see more reactions from other celebrities and political figures below: