Charles James “Charlie” Kirk (1993–2025) co-founded Turning Point USA at age 18 and became a prominent conservative youth leader.

He built influence through media, campus activism, books, and allied organizations like Turning Point Action and TPUSA Faith.

His methods combined branding, fundraising, decentralized networks, and leveraging controversy to grow reach.

Critics point to opacity in governance, aggressive rhetoric, and controversies over campus politics and nonprofit rules.

Despite polarizing views, his legacy offers lessons in bold vision, youth mobilization, and message-driven leadership.