Olivia Hayes
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The influence of Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, reached young people across the country, including at the University of Missouri.
Kirk’s rhetoric drew plenty of criticism, including his stance on gun violence. But for conservatives on college campuses, he was an inspiration, said a leader of MU’s College Republican club.
Kirk was kicking off Turning Point USA’s “American Comeback Tour” at Utah Valley University on Wednesday when he was shot while answering a question related to mass shootings. He was scheduled to appear on 15 college campuses nationwide and was in the final stages of scheduling a 16th appearance on the University of Missouri’s campus for Sept. 29.
Kirk often welcomed criticism and open debates at his events. Some MU students told ABC 17 News that’s what made his message resonate with so many.
“I believe he was the reason Trump won the election. He got the Gen Z votes turned red,” said Paige Schulte, president of MU’s Turning Point USA chapter.
Schulte said Kirk’s messaging was a comfort to her as a conservative college student.
“Mizzou is a more liberal campus, and I think that’s because a lot of students are scared, conservative students are scared to speak up,” Schulte said.
She said Kirk’s death has made more students to come forward looking to join MUTPUSA.
“This is just the beginning. This is the final straw for us. We’re going to be more conservative than ever now, especially on campus. We’re not afraid to speak anymore. We’re done being silent,” Schulte said.
MUTPUSA has paused its meetings for right now, in light of Kirk’s death.
His shooter remained at large on Thursday.
Brenden Poteet, president of the Mizzou College Republicans, said Kirk influenced him to become more open about his politics.
“I think because a lot of young people get trapped in an echo chamber of the majority, and I think that’s something that we need to change to have a civil political discourse. That’s what Charlie Kirk did really well,” Poteet said.
Kirk was an integral part in launching President Donald Trump back into the Oval Office through his social media presence and outreach on college campuses across the country during the 2024 presidential campaign cycle, experts say.
“Having those conversations, he did that, he did it respectfully, he did it in a way that advocated for his beliefs, but listened to what other people had to say,” said Daniel Seitz, chief of staff for Missouri Sen. Brad Hudson.
Seitz described his time working at the Leadership Institute and his experience with Kirk when Kirk was first starting Turning Point USA. He later went on to work for Turning Point USA, raising funds for the organization.
“The first meeting that I had was in a Chili’s. We packed five of us into one booth at Chili’s, and he talked about his grand ideas for Turning Point and turning this nation around,” Seitz said.
Seitz said Kirk’s motivation behind Turning Point USA was educating young voters across the U.S.
“Charlie put a big emphasis on getting back to the roots of the history of our country, the founding of our country, why it mattered to be an American, why the Constitution mattered,” Seitz said. “That way they could have a better foundation and love for our country.”
He said it was TPUSA’s different approach to reaching the youth vote that skyrocketed its popularity.
“It was being unafraid as young people to speak out, when they were conservative,” Seitz said. “A belief that there was still good that could be done if we grasped on to that faith, our love of country and helped move the nation forward.”
Trump said Thursday that he will honor Kirk with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The date of the ceremony has not been announced.
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