Charlie Kirk Helped Republicans Break Through to Young People

christiefan915 said:
I'm saying that appealing to someone's baser instincts seems counterproductive. Kirk traveled to college campuses. These are kids who can afford to be where they are and didn't have to start work at minimum wage right out of high school. Yet, IMO the message they got from Kirk was "The Others are taking something that belongs to you and you have to fight back." It's not about taking responsibility for your own life and future.

You don't have to demonize the majority of the country. You don't have to pretend that there's a limited amount of (money, good, services, recognition) and it's every man for himself. I didn't like Kirk's divisive comments, which he seemed to model after trump's.
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You're right, there were divisive elements to his message. If you want an equivalent on the left, think of people who speak to minorities on campuses and tell them all problems in life are due to white supremacy and the fault of white people. Of course people like to hear their challenges are the fault of someone else. Not a very empowering message, but it appeals to someone's baser instincts.

I am not telling you what to do. I am suggesting that to understand, you have to step back from the partisan and tribal bubble we operate in. Many of these young people are in environments where conservative voices either don't exist or are silenced. Having an environment like Turning Point USA to be around like minded people has its appeal. Hearing him speak, even if they didn’t agree with everything, could still feel empowering. Focusing only on certain things Kirk said misses the big picture.
 
Damocles said:
He actually messaged almost exactly opposite to that, especially on the taking responsibility portion. I don't believe you have watched more than bumper sticker moments and attempts at gotchas of any of his programs.

Shoot... You should listen to this one. If you listen to only the bumper sticker version, you'd think like you did.

But if you listen to the context... It's all about taking responsibility.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBqAjG0VOfo
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There are people here who have acknowledged they didn't know who he was until he was killed. So I'm sure in the left wing media and blogosphere they're posting his more provocative statements.

They are free to do so because he said those things. At the same time, it doesn't tell his whole message either.
 
cawacko said:
There are people here who have acknowledged they didn't know who he was until he was killed. So I'm sure in the left wing media and blogosphere they're posting his more provocative statements.

They are free to do so because he said those things. At the same time, it doesn't tell his whole message either.
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What's his whole message? All I've seen is White Christian Nationalism and divisive speech against Americans.

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BartenderElite said:
We need more Charlie Kirks. At every level in the political spectrum.

I think if Kirk & I sat down to talk about the issues, we'd agree on about 10% of 'em (being generous). But I know the conversation would be intellectually invigorating. He'd either persuade me, or strengthen my own convictions, and either way I'd be grateful.
it is not my intention,
This whole past few days has really changed my outlook on life, people & politics. Like, why are we so afraid of opinions & disagreeing? Wouldn't the country be boring if we all agreed on everything? We can disagree, and still be respectful, and friendly.
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Not to seize the opportunity to punch,...because when I say this that is NOT my intention,...BUT........Notice you got three likes from your post,...ALL of them from conservatives. ZERO from the left. My point is that IMO the left has a MASSIVE problem with being OPEN to debate with the other side. Its like they want every LWer to just fall in line and carry water for the left and NEVER be open whatsoever with straying just a bit or AT ALL from their pre approved view. They don't want that,...AT ALL. They want total HIVE MIND. The JPP left wont like your post much,...and that's a darn shame to be honest.
 
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Dutch Uncle said:
What's his whole message? All I've seen is White Christian Nationalism and divisive speech against Americans.

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Mr. Tiny Penis, that is because you are blind to the fact there are other opinions.
You are the "get off my lawn" rake shaker guy. I will pray for you.
 
Lionfish said:
So the death of Charlie Kirk was not in vain. Your response is echoed by thousands of people who changed their straight line thought pattern and started questioning.

I ignored much of what Kirk said, but found most of his conversations with young people to be very entertaining, much like Jesse Watters man on the street interviews. Even though I know they are selective, the ignorance of some young adults astounds me.
I applaud you for your admission, and that is why I try to pay attention to some of the left wing media outlets.
Good on you.
BTW, the memes will not stop, but my respect for you and a small few of others here has grown.
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Totally agree. I have from Day one always said that even though I might disagree with Bartender A LOT,...I see him as a Good kid, someone who is well meaning and has his heart in the right place. Hell,...I do not even know if he is all that young,...I always just took him for someone in his twenties and not so jaded from politics yet due to his youth but Im just guessing .
 
Stone said:
Totally agree. I have from Day one always said that even though I might disagree with Bartender A LOT,...I see him as a Good kid, someone who is well meaning and has his heart in the right place. Hell,...I do not even know if he is all that young,...I always just took him for someone in his twenties and not so jaded from politics yet due to his youth but Im just guessing .
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I appreciate his wording in a couple of his more recent posts. Cautious respect from me, but the memes will still be flyin'
 
Damocles said:
He actually messaged almost exactly opposite to that, especially on the taking responsibility portion. I don't believe you have watched more than bumper sticker moments and attempts at gotchas of any of his programs.

Shoot... You should listen to this one. If you listen to only the bumper sticker version, you'd think like you did.

But if you listen to the context... It's all about taking responsibility.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBqAjG0VOfo
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I listened to this Damo and here are my thoughts. Kirk stresses taking responsibility for self. But within those uplifting words he adds:

1. Everything's rigged against you... college, tech companies, DC elites culture, etc.
2. Comment about the "false promises of the secular left."
3. Asks "why would I be in school, why would I be in church."
4. Claims "your jobs are being stolen."
5. States there's an "oppression Olympics."
6. Bases his ideas on how Christians should act.

If you don't think this is exclusionary, I don't know what to tell you. He's mixing conservative ideology in with his self-help premises. He did what I've seen him do elsewhere, set himself and his followers above The Others.
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christiefan915 said:
I listened to this Damo and here are my thoughts. Kirk stresses taking responsibility for self. But within those uplifting words he adds:

1. Everything's rigged against you... college, tech companies, DC elites culture, etc.
2. Comment about the "false promises of the secular left."
3. Asks "why would I be in school, why would I be in church."
4. Claims "your jobs are being stolen."
5. States there's an "oppression Olympics."
6. Bases his ideas on how Christians should act.

If you don't think this is exclusionary, I don't know what to tell you. He's mixing conservative ideology in with his self-help premises. He did what I've seen him do elsewhere, set himself and his followers above The Others.
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It's standard MAGAt doublespeak.

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cawacko said:
Since almost every thread is about Kirk, here's another one. This speaks to his influence. I knew who he was but was never a fan. Didn't care for his provocative style. But I have to admit, I didn't know how influential he was. And based on the reactions of this board, neither did many others. It's really a generational thing. His appeal and popularity were largely with Gen Z (not exactly this board's demographic).

Trump likely wouldn't have won this past election without Kirk turning out young voters like he did. Politically speaking, going forward, we'll find out if someone can pick up his mantle or the conservative movement on campuses starts to fade.



Charlie Kirk Helped Republicans Break Through to Young People​

It was nearly impossible for college students to open social media without being served a video of Kirk​


When Olivia Hubbard left Iowa to attend college, she thought she was going to get a break from the conservatism her dad was always touting. Instead, she was politically awakened.

Hubbard, now 19 years old, was convinced by a roommate to see Charlie Kirk last year when he visited Grand Canyon University, 20 minutes from the headquarters of Kirk’s organization, Turning Point USA. Listening to Kirk speak, Hubbard said, was like hearing all of her beliefs articulated clearly.

“I thought it was supercool that there’s someone younger who was going to all these universities, and who did believe in God and really made that known,” said Hubbard, who is Christian. From that moment on she was hooked, staying up late watching videos of Kirk debating liberal students on other college campuses.

Kirk was killed Wednesday during a visit to Utah Valley University. The 31-year-old had become a standard-bearer of the MAGA movement and has been credited by President Trump for building his support with young people and helping ensure his return to office.

Mourners watched the arrival of Charlie Kirk's casket at Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix on Thursday. Photo: Rebecca Noble for WSJ
A master of 21st century mass media, Kirk accomplished what Republicans had failed to do for decades: break through with younger generations. Regardless of whether they supported him or not, it was nearly impossible for college students to open social media without being served a video of Kirk.

For a generation of young conservatives, he inspired them to proudly tout their views, including opposition to abortion and same-sex marriage. Countless others said his views were discriminatory and offensive. Love him or hate him, Kirk was ubiquitous.

Kirk also used social media to connect directly with young people whose views he wanted to elevate, messaging people directly to offer mentorship and launch careers. He boosted a new class of young conservative influencers, political aides and lawmakers, successfully lobbying Trump to pick JD Vance as his vice president.

“Charlie is the reason why I’m in Congress today,” Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, (R., Fla.) said in an interview. Kirk recruited Luna, 36, to work at his grassroots conservative organization, Turning Point USA, as director of Hispanic engagement in 2018. She went on to become the first federally elected alumni of his organization.

Luna said Kirk was successful in part because he knew how to use social media “to connect with the generation that’s grown up in a digital age.” Kirk’s Instagram account had more than 12 million followers.

Riley Gaines, 25, a conservative activist and former college swimmer who campaigns against transgender women participating in female sports, said Kirk deployed her to college campuses to speak with students about her experience.

“It’s Charlie who really gave me a platform, inviting me early on to just speak with him about it, offering his advice, his guidance,” said Gaines.

The legacy of Kirk’s message varies depending on whom you ask.

The evangelical Christian and father of two urged women to marry young, have many children and submit to their husbands. He said the Civil Rights Act was a mistake and opposed diversity efforts and gun control. He said transgender people were suffering from “mental delusion.”

“He didn’t have a lot of empathy or sympathy for humans. And I think that his views were flawed,” said Sofia Doneski, 18, a student at Arizona State University. Still, she said Kirk was talented at appealing to young people. “I don’t see anyone doing that for leftists,” she said.


His impact was undeniable. In 2020, then-candidate Joe Biden easily won voters 18-29 with nearly two thirds of the vote. By 2024, Trump closed the gap to 4 percentage points behind then-Vice President Kamala Harris. He outright won a majority of young men, according to data from AP VoteCast, an election survey.

“He’s probably the most influential person in our generation,” Carlie Jo Ahrenstorff, 21, a student at GCU, said through tears Thursday. Ahrenstorff said she and her roommates had huddled in their living room watching Fox News for updates, praying for Kirk to survive.

Carlie Jo Ahrenstorff, 21, at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix. Photo: Rebecca Noble for WSJ

Kirk also mastered live events, drawing thousands of excited college students to his appearances, either eager to hear him dunk on a liberal or hoping to see him get schooled by a debate opponent. He invited people of any political persuasion to spar with him under a plastic tent at his “Prove Me Wrong” events—“bring the best libs that Utah has to offer,” he said before he was killed Wednesday.

“That was his happy place was to be out under that tent, debating with people, and then just being out in the crowd of students,” said Carson Carpenter, 20, the former president of the College Republicans at ASU who also organized with Turning Point.

Several liberal students who debated him said after his death that while they vehemently disagreed with many of his views, they appreciated his willingness to debate and said conversations were respectful.


Kirk was hard to ignore. “There was this buzz going around” when he came to campus, said Mahogany McDougle, 18, a GCU student.

Kirk also built a formidable grassroots political machine. His organization, Turning Point USA, became a Republican hub on college campuses at a time when some conservative students felt isolated. It claims more than 250,000 student members with 3,500 college chapters at schools ranging from small private Christian universities to large public universities and Ivy League schools.

Attendees at a Turning Point USA event at Ohio State University where Kirk spoke in 2019. Photo: Megan jelinger/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images
Taylor Rogers, 24, an assistant press secretary at the White House, started a Turning Point USA chapter at Clemson University that became the largest chapter in the country at the time. She first met Kirk at a campus event. “In some way, he influenced everyone who is my age that is working in the White House today.”

Beyond his impact on campus, several prominent conservative influencers say Kirk was a mentor who encouraged their activism from a young age.


Brilyn Hollyhand, 19, a freshman at Auburn University, was only in the fourth grade when he invited Kirk to come on his own podcast. He was surprised that Kirk not only responded to him, but also agreed to join. The show ended up going 30 minutes past the scheduled time.

According to Hollyhand, when he asked Kirk why he had agreed to talk, Kirk said, “‘I give campus speeches begging Gen Z to get off the sidelines. And here’s a Gen Z member, you know, off the sidelines in the fight.’ And he was, like, ‘I wanted to reward you, and I wanted to thank you.’”

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He had a hotline to the Oval Office. You're darn right he was influential!
 
christiefan915 said:
I listened to this Damo and here are my thoughts. Kirk stresses taking responsibility for self. But within those uplifting words he adds:

1. Everything's rigged against you... college, tech companies, DC elites culture, etc.
2. Comment about the "false promises of the secular left."
3. Asks "why would I be in school, why would I be in church."
4. Claims "your jobs are being stolen."
5. States there's an "oppression Olympics."
6. Bases his ideas on how Christians should act.

If you don't think this is exclusionary, I don't know what to tell you. He's mixing conservative ideology in with his self-help premises. He did what I've seen him do elsewhere, set himself and his followers above The Others.
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As I said, if you only listen to the bumper sticker portion you get a skewed view...

You didn't stay for the "none of that is an excuse for your failure" and "all of that is your own responsibility"... You did exactly what I said you would do. That's weak, it is irresponsible, it is purposefully remaining ignorant. I have no respect for anyone that will not listen beyond what they want to hear so that they do not have to think about their stances.

I even made it easy to understand what his message actually was, you chose to ignore the majority of what he said, and where he outlined his actual position.
 
Damocles said:
As I said, if you only listen to the bumper sticker portion you get a skewed view...

You didn't stay for the "none of that is an excuse for your failure" and "all of that is your own responsibility"... You did exactly what I said you would do. That's weak, it is irresponsible, it is purposefully remaining ignorant. I even made it easy to understand what his message actually was.
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Stop projecting. I watched the whole thing and then rewatched the parts I wanted to bring up in my answer. And you didn't mention any of them, you just defaulted to insult.
 
Damocles said:
You may have watched, but you didn't listen. You only heard the parts you wanted to hear. You remain deliberately ignorant, and for that I have no respect.
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You've really lost it. I listened to everything. That doesn't mean I don't have the right to criticize the parts of his message I disagree with.

If you can't understand that some people had good reasons for disliking his message, I have no respect for you, either. You're fully immersed in the cult.
 
christiefan915 said:
You've really lost it. I listened to everything. That doesn't mean I don't have the right to criticize the parts of his message I disagree with.

If you can't understand that some people had good reasons for disliking his message, I have no respect for you, either. You're fully immersed in the cult.
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I fully comprehend that if you only wait until you hear what you want then ignore the rest you can hold opinions that are not based in fact. It will not change my opinion of such people that purposefully and deliberately maintain ignorance.
 
Damocles said:
As I said, if you only listen to the bumper sticker portion you get a skewed view...

You didn't stay for the "none of that is an excuse for your failure" and "all of that is your own responsibility"... You did exactly what I said you would do. That's weak, it is irresponsible, it is purposefully remaining ignorant. I have no respect for anyone that will not listen beyond what they want to hear so that they do not have to think about their stances.

I even made it easy to understand what his message actually was, you chose to ignore the majority of what he said, and where he outlined his actual position.
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IOW you wanted me to listen, have an "aha!" moment and join his cult. Never going to happen. I choose not to hate the people Kirk hated or to accept some of his far-out messages on women and marriage, for instance. I don't think white men are victims, and don't believe any of his other conspiracy theories (covid misinformation, voter fraud) either. It's too bad you've become so rigid you can't accept opposing beliefs without going low.
 
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