Charlie Kirk was known for making numerous provocative and controversial statements throughout his career, often using them to confront what he saw as "woke" or liberal ideologies. His remarks frequently sparked public backlash and were a core part of his brand as a culture war figure.
On Race and Civil Rights
The Civil Rights Act: Kirk stated that the passing of the Civil Rights Act in the 1960s was a "huge mistake." He argued that the law led to a "permanent bureaucracy" to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, which he opposed.
Martin Luther King Jr.: He called the civil rights leader "awful" and "not a good person."
George Floyd: Kirk referred to George Floyd, whose death sparked nationwide protests in 2020, as a "scumbag."
Racial Stereotypes: He faced criticism for saying in a podcast, "I'm sorry. If I see a Black pilot, I'm going to be like, 'Boy, I hope he's qualified.'"
Juneteenth: He opposed the establishment of Juneteenth as a federal holiday, claiming it was an "anti-American" move that promoted "neo-segregationist" views.
"Great Replacement" theory: In a 2024 Instagram post, he promoted the widely debunked "great replacement" conspiracy theory, suggesting that undocumented immigrants were entering the U.S. to replace white Americans.
On Gun Violence
"Worth it" gun deaths: Kirk famously stated that some gun deaths were "worth it" to preserve the Second Amendment. He said, "I think it's worth to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the Second Amendment to protect our other God-given rights. That is a prudent deal."
Transgender Mass Shooters: In a public Q&A just moments before his death, he was asked about the number of transgender Americans who have been mass shooters. His response was, "Too many."
On COVID-19 and Health
"China virus": At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, he promoted the term "China virus," a phrase that was later adopted by then-President Donald Trump.
COVID-19 Misinformation: He was briefly banned from Twitter for spreading false claims, including the assertion that the drug hydroxychloroquine was "100% effective" in treating the virus.
"Medical Apartheid": He compared vaccine requirements for students to "medical apartheid" in a 2021 interview.
On Politics and Religion
Political Violence: In the aftermath of the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, he said the violent acts were not an insurrection and did not represent mainstream Trump supporters, despite his organization, Turning Point Action, financing buses for attendees.
Christian Nationalism: Kirk openly supported Christian nationalist ideas, arguing that there should be no true separation of church and state. He claimed that Democrats "stand for everything God hates" and referred to the choice between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris as a "spiritual battle."
