When Charlie Kirk was assassinated at 31, he left behind an organization that had helped young conservatives find their voices and, for some, launch careers in media and activism.One year later, those who worked closely with him say they are carrying forward the model he built, continuing to recruit and mentor college students and young activists."I don't think anybody can replace Charlie," Turning Point USA chief of staff Michael McCoy, who also worked as Kirk's chief of staff, told Fox News Digital.
"I think there's a massive void that was left behind in his absence."Kirk was shot and killed while holding an event at Utah Valley University.The TPUSA founder and CEO was known for his "Prove Me Wrong" events, during which he would invite people to debate him and ask questions.
His Sept.10, 2025, event where he was murdered was part of his American Comeback Tour.CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATION: TIMELINE OF UTAH CAMPUS SHOOTING, TYLER ROBINSON CHARGEDCharlie Kirk speaks at Utah Valley University on Sept.
10, 2025, in Orem, Utah.Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was speaking at his "American Comeback Tour" when he was shot in the neck and killed.
(Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images)Prior to Kirk's assassination, TPUSA had 410 college chapters registered for the 2025-2026 school year.After Kirk was murdered, that number grew to 1,095.
The organization also saw its Club America chapters, aimed at high schoolers, grow substantially.Before Sept.
10, 2025, there were 454 Club America chapters, and after Kirk's assassination, the number grew to 3,102.The growth in the organization exemplified one of Kirk's main goals, which was to develop young conservative voices."The Charlie Kirk Show" executive producer Andrew Kolvet remembered Kirk as being "intentional" when building a bench of activists."He wanted to use that as sort of like the farm system for voices that could find their footing, find their way, and really, the cream would rise to the top," Kolvet to...