On September 10, 2025, the Heritage Foundation released a statement from President Dr. Kevin Roberts mourning the assassination of Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA. Roberts described Kirk as “a devoted husband, exceptional father, and one of America’s brightest young leaders” who “loved America and her people” and believed in a hopeful future.

Roberts emphasized Kirk’s Christian faith, stating, “We can take some solace in knowing that Charlie was a Christian. We will pray for his family and that God grants eternal rest to his soul.” He called for national redemption, noting, “Our country must be redeemed. We are on the brink of losing our soul as a nation.” Naming Kirk’s death a “martyrdom,” he urged that it become a “turning point” for America, reflecting the name of Kirk’s organization. Read Roberts’ full statement.

The Heritage Foundation also shared on X, calling Kirk “a great American patriot, dear friend, and hero,” praying for his soul, his family’s strength, and the endurance of his conservative leadership.

The Heritage Foundation’s Daily Signal columnist Jarrett Stepman condemned liberal media responses to Kirk’s assassination. “The immediate reaction of many ‘mainstream’ journalists shows why Americans loathe corporate media,” he wrote, highlighting their perceived contempt for conservatives. Read Stepman’s article.

The Daily Signal’s Tyler O’Neil, under the Heritage Foundation’s banner, urged the Southern Poverty Law Center to remove TPUSA from its “hate map.” He argued that such designations fuel political violence, stating, “This isn’t the first time a shooter targeted an organization on the ‘hate map.’” Read O’Neil’s commentary.

The Heritage Foundation’s Daily Signal reported that Kirk’s assassination fits a disturbing pattern of violence against conservatives. They documented seven incidents, including:

• Attempts on former President Donald Trump’s life.
• The 2017 congressional baseball game shooting injuring Rep. Steve Scalise.
• The 2022 foiled assassination plot against Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
• The 2012 terrorist attack on the Family Research Council.

Photo credit: Rebecca Droke/AFP/Getty Images. Read the full list.