More than 1,500 students and supporters gathered at the University of Minnesota on Monday to honor conservative activist Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, who was assassinated on September 10 while speaking at a Utah college campus. The sold-out event marked the first campus gathering held by Turning Point since his death. Kirk, a central figure in America’s conservative youth movement, was buried Sunday, with former President Donald Trump speaking at his memorial.
Kirk had been scheduled to speak at the University of Minnesota as part of his “American Comeback Tour,” but after his death, conservative author and commentator Michael Knowles took the stage in his place. An empty black chair sat next to him on stage, adorned with a “Freedom” T-shirt and a “47” cap, symbolizing Trump’s presidential ambitions and honoring Kirk’s presence. The event opened with the national anthem, Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the U.S.A.,” and a prayer led by a local pastor.
Speaking to the packed auditorium, Knowles described Kirk as a man whose energy and light came from both his character and his Christian faith. He said that while the evening was originally meant to feature a conversation with Kirk, it instead became a conversation about him. Knowles argued that Kirk had the potential to one day become president, and lamented that his life had been cut short.
Audience members included students and alumni who spoke about how Kirk had shaped their political identity. Many described him as a champion of open debate on college campuses, where conservative voices often felt marginalized. One recent graduate said the assassination galvanized supporters in ways not seen before, even more so than when Trump survived an assassination attempt. Another student said that Kirk’s visibility on campus made it easier for young conservatives to express their beliefs without fear of isolation.
For many conservatives, Kirk became a leading voice of their generation, credited with helping Trump’s political rise and inspiring young activists. Yet his critics often accused him of pushing divisive rhetoric, calling some of his remarks racist, misogynistic, or transphobic. That division was evident outside the event, where nearly 100 protesters gathered with signs reading “Say No to Hate” and “No Place for Hate.” Some chanted slogans against Turning Point as attendees waited in line.
University officials clarified that the event was not sponsored by the school, though Kirk had previously spoken there in 2017 without incident. Still, some students and faculty voiced concerns that hosting Turning Point on campus legitimized rhetoric that targeted marginalized groups. One doctoral student said many of her classmates, including transgender and queer students, felt unsafe, and one of her classes was moved online for the day.
On stage, Knowles said conservatives must move beyond simply debating in a “marketplace of ideas,” arguing that some ideas should carry social consequences, including loss of jobs or status. He blamed the political left for destroying that space for open dialogue.
During a question-and-answer session, topics ranged from lighthearted queries about food to more serious issues like immigration and religion. Knowles criticized immigration policies, saying both legal and illegal immigration should be reduced drastically. He singled out Somali American immigrants, claiming they do not assimilate and bring crime, a remark that drew shouts from the audience calling for their removal. He also suggested that Vice President JD Vance could emerge as a unifying figure for conservatives in the long term, though he predicted internal battles among different factions of the movement.
The event, both celebratory and contentious, underscored the impact Kirk had on his supporters while highlighting the political and cultural divides that defined his public career. For his admirers, Kirk was more than a political figure — he was a source of courage, faith, and conviction in a polarized America.
