Charlie Kirk was one of the most divisive and controversial political influencers of the 2020s, and potentially the most important for Generation Z. Though Kirk was given all the tools he needed to succeed from an early age, the influencer still took an unconventional path to political stardom.
Early years
Charlie Kirk was born in Arlington Heights, Illinois, a town with a median household income of $118,000. He grew up in a five-bedroom home in Prospect Heights, Illinois – a strong, white-dominant area, but one that hadn’t swung red since the Reagan administration.
Looking up to success
His father, Rob, owned and operated his own architectural firm, while Kirk’s mother worked as a trader at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange before switching careers and becoming a mental health counsellor.
Getting into politics
Kirk started getting into politics as an Eagle Scout in high school. He volunteered with Illinois Republican Mark Kirk and openly stated his disapproval of fellow Illinois native Barack Obama.
His first break
Kirk first took the spotlight as a senior in high school. After writing an article for Breitbart, claiming “liberal bias” in his textbooks, Kirk was invited to appear on Fox News to discuss the piece.
Early rejection
After high school, Kirk wanted nothing more than to attend West Point Academy, a prestigious military academy, but was rejected. Kirk made statements later on insinuating that his spot had been given to “a far less-qualified candidate of a different gender and a different persuasion,” but backtracked on the statement later, claiming it was sarcasm.
Kirk would go on to attend Harper College in Chicago, but dropped out before receiving any degree or diploma.
Turning to the a tea party
After dropping out of College, Kirk found a mentor in Bill Montgomery, a legislative candidate endorsed by the Tea Party. Montgomery encouraged Kirk to turn to activism full-time, seeing the potential in Kirk’s passion and ability to debate.
Turning Point USA
In 2012, Kirk founded Turning Point USA, a not for profit that is allegedly dedicated to “identify, educate, train, and organize students to promote the principles of fiscal responsibility, free markets, and limited government,” but in practice focuses on cultural (usually controversial) topics.
An honorary student?
Although Kirk’s foray with education had been stifled before it could even started, the influencer made a living on College campuses across the United States. Kirk has been travelling around the United States to debate students much younger than himself full-time since 2019.
Kirk’s College Tours were among his most divisive actions, with the college dropout frequently touching on topics like sexual assault and hate crimes.
Starting a family
Charlie Kirk married former Miss Arizona Erika Lane Frantzve. Together, they had two children, born in 2022 and 2024. Even though Kirk’s lifestyle left him on the road for more than 200 days of the year over the last three years, his wife stayed in staunch support of her husband’s career.
“Not a Trump guy”
In 2016, Charlie Kirk was not a self-described fan of Donald Trump, stating in an interview at the National Republican Convention that he was “not the world’s biggest Donald Trump fan,” but would still vote for him when the time came.
Growing on him
In 2018, he was pictured with Trump for the first time, shaking hands in the Oval Office after moderating a right-wing forum.
A turning point for Trump
In 2019, Kirk announced that his new group, Turning Point Action, had acquired Students for Trump. After that, a shift to focus on Trump politics was clear.
“Thank you, Charlie Kirk.”
By the time the 2024 election rolled around, Kirk had transitioned to become a serious ally for the Presidential hopeful. He was credited by Donald Trump for securing the 2024 election for the Republican Party, with Trump saying:
“I won the young people by 37%. No Republicans have ever won, and I won by 37%. And Charlie Kirk will tell you, TikTok helped, but Charlie Kirk helped also.”
Kirk’s ties with the Trump administration may be his longest-lasting legacy, as the work he did in 2024 has shaped the country America is today.
Leaving a legacy
Though much should be said about what Charlie Kirk stood for, there is no denying the size and strength of his following. Turning Point USA boasts over 250,000 members across the United States.