The 31-year-old activist was key in growing support for the GOP among young people and had helped run the get-out-the-vote for Trump’s 2024 campaign, according to the Associated Press. President Donald Trump honored Kirk in his address Wednesday on the first night of the convention.
“Exactly one year ago tomorrow, a far-left extremist assassinated my great friend, conservative voice Charlie Kirk,” Trump said. “Because Charlie Kirk spoke the truth.”
Erika Kirk, chief executive of Turning Point USA and Kirk’s widow, sat in a special section to the left of Treasury secretary Scott Bessent Wednesday. As Trump waved to Erika Kirk, the crowd in the arena rose to their feet and chanted “Charlie.”
Erika Kirk appeared emotional as American Airlines Center reverberated with her husband’s name. Trump said in his address that he expects Erika to be in Dallas today.
“What she’s had to go through, and the most beautiful family, just terrible,” Trump said.
According to a programming schedule released by the Republican National Committee, Pastor Lucas Miles, vice president of Turning Point USA Faith, will say a prayer before a video tribute to Kirk will play for the audience.
The segment is scheduled to begin around 5 p.m. CT.
Kirk founded Turning Point USA, the youth political organizing group, in 2012. He was a popular fixture on college campuses for conservative students who felt their political leanings and beliefs were not welcome in academia, and he often made provocative statements about gender, race and religion.
Turning Point USA is hosting a memorial for Kirk at Utah Valley University, where Kirk was killed.
Earlier this month, a judge sent the murder case against the Utah man accused of killing Kirk to trial. The defendant could face the death penalty if he’s convicted, according to the Associated Press.