EDITORS' CORNER
OPINION
Charlie Kirk, 31, the faithful husband and father of two children, died this afternoon after being shot by a yet-to-be identified gunman at a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University.
To say “Kirk died doing what he loved,” debating politics, would be a mistake.
Though I have not talked to him in years (I used to work for Turning Point USA), I think what he would say is he loved his wife, his two kids, and his faith.
He was probably energized by organizing, arguing politics, and fighting for what he believed in, but he loved his family.
Over the years, Turning Point USA has noticeably added cultural issues like abortion, transgenderism, and feminism to its areas of focus. When the group started, it’s focus was primarily on fiscal issues, like the national debt and student loans.
But that did not mean Kirk did not care passionately about cultural issues back then. Two examples should suffice.
In 2015, undercover journalist David Daleiden released videos showing Planned Parenthood and other abortionists casually discussing the sale of aborted baby body parts. When one of the videos came out, Charlie Kirk, another employee, and I were sitting around a table working during a student conference.
I can affirm Charlie was deeply troubled by the videos. The emotions many of us were feeling as we saw those horrific videos of Charlie being shot, or on hearing the news he died, is how he reacted to those videos about the innocent babies being treated like commodities.
In 2017, I was preparing to leave my job at Turning Point USA to work for Students for Life of America. Since I had known Charlie since 2013, I wanted to thank him personally and let him know I was leaving.
When I told him where I was headed, he said something to the effect of “thank you for your time. I know you’re passionate about the abortion issue and I’m glad for what you’re doing.”
Charlie left behind a huge organization that has launched media and political careers and possibly changed the outcomes of elections. He did so through ups and downs and the difficulties that come with scaling up any organization.
But I think the biggest legacy he leaves behind is his wife and his two kids who can use prayers and comfort now. Remember not just Turning Point USA, but them as well.
