In a wave of grief and solidarity, Turning Point USA (TPUSA), the conservative organization founded by the late Charlie Kirk, has witnessed an unprecedented influx of financial support following his shocking murder, the Guardian reported.
After Kirk’s death, TPUSA has received substantial backing from major donors and allies of former President Donald Trump, with experts predicting the group’s influence on the American right will continue to expand under the leadership of Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk.
Charlie Kirk, a prominent right-wing activist, built TPUSA into a powerful force on college and high school campuses, growing it to 900 college chapters and 1,200 high school chapters by the time of his death.
Following the tragic event, large contributors stepped up with significant pledges, including Lynn Friess, the widow of Kirk’s initial major backer, Foster Friess, who donated $1 million on Sept. 14 to aid the expansion of new chapters.
Friess expressed her intent in an email, stating her contribution was to support “new TPUSA chapters springing up across the country … helping this incredible movement grow even stronger.”
Similarly, Dallas multimillionaire Doug Deason announced plans to increase his already substantial financial support, with messages from other donors indicating they would double their contributions as a tribute to Kirk’s legacy.
Under Kirk’s leadership, TPUSA’s fundraising soared, reaching $85 million in 2024, more than double the $39 million raised in 2020, largely due to his close connections to Trump and the MAGA movement.
Major donors over the years included the Bradley Impact Fund, contributing $23.6 million from 2014 to 2023, Donors Trust with nearly $4 million from 2020 to 2023, and the Deason Foundation with close to $1.8 million from 2016 to 2023.
Prominent figures like Tucker Carlson, a friend of Kirk who often appeared at TPUSA events, also sent out fundraising appeals to bolster the organization’s efforts in the wake of the tragedy.
On Sept. 18, the TPUSA board selected Erika Kirk, Charlie’s widow, to lead the organization, honoring his expressed wish for succession and signaling continuity in the group’s mission.
Republican strategist Charlie Black praised this transition, noting that Erika “is stepping up to lead and seems to be very capable for the task,” while highlighting the group’s strong network of organizers and donor support.
Campaign finance experts, including Michael Beckel from Issue One, anticipate that TPUSA’s influence will likely grow further, fueled by increased contributions and the emotional resonance of Kirk’s passing.
Kirk’s ties to Trump were a cornerstone of TPUSA’s prominence, with events hosted at Mar-a-Lago and Turning Point Action, the political arm, spending millions in 2024 to support Trump’s successful campaigns in Arizona, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
Despite achievements, Kirk faced criticism for promoting misinformation, such as unfounded claims about the 2020 election and Covid-19 vaccine mandates, as well as his involvement in the “Stop the Steal” rally on Jan. 6, 2021.
As TPUSA moves forward, Arizona consultant Chuck Coughlin predicts a “sanctification” of Kirk’s image will inspire younger conservative voters in the 2026 elections, benefiting Trump’s political circle through continued references to their shared history.
