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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
David Smith in Washington

Charlie Kirk: Trump ally and divisive provocateur who became US right’s ‘youth whisperer’

Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk in 2024.
Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk in 2024. Photograph: Ross D Franklin/AP

Anyone who wants to understand the rise of Donald Trump among young voters has to understand Charlie Kirk, dubbed a “youth whisperer” of the right, who was shot on Wednesday at an event at Utah Valley University and died afterwards.

Kirk was only 31 and had never held elected office but, as a natural showman with a flair for patriotism, populism and Christian nationalism, was rich in the political currency of the era.

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