Ben Shapiro, co-founder of The Daily Wire, announced a $1 million donation to Turning Point USA (TPUSA) on September 16, 2025, as a tribute to the organization’s slain leader, Charlie Kirk. The gift, revealed during Shapiro’s appearance on “The Charlie Kirk Show,” aims to perpetuate Kirk’s vision of fostering faith, family values, and conservative activism among young people. Kirk, 31, was assassinated by sniper Tyler Robinson at a Utah Valley University rally on September 10, prompting an outpouring of support for TPUSA.
Shapiro, a longtime ally of Kirk, emphasized the donation’s role in advancing TPUSA’s missions, including “bringing people back to church, back to Biblical values, and long-term unity for big movement change.” He pledged ongoing collaboration, stating, “We will do what we can to help accomplish the missions Charlie set out.” TPUSA’s executive producer, Andrew Kolvet, expressed gratitude, noting the funds will bolster campus chapters and youth engagement efforts, which have surged with over 32,000 inquiries since Kirk’s death.
The contribution arrives amid national mourning for Kirk, whose Turning Point USA mobilized millions on campuses for conservative causes like free speech and limited government. President Donald Trump, who plans to attend Kirk’s funeral, hailed the donation as “tremendous,” while Kirk’s widow, Erika, vowed to continue his work. The gesture has inspired other pledges, including a New College of Florida statue honoring Kirk’s free speech legacy.
Critics, including some Democrats, view the donation as amplifying divisive rhetoric, but supporters see it as a beacon for conservative renewal. As investigations into Robinson continue, Shapiro’s move underscores the resilience of the MAGA movement, transforming tragedy into momentum for future activism.
