Following the tragic assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, the robust fundraising network he established to create the influential campus organization Turning Point USA (TPUSA) is experiencing a surge of support from prominent donors and allies of Donald Trump. Experts in campaign finance and political consulting suggest this momentum indicates TPUSA will continue to be a significant player within conservative circles in the United States.
Among the new waves of financial support is Lynn Friess, widow of major donor Foster Friess, who was Kirk’s earliest and most substantial backer when he launched his Republican-focused student group in 2012 at just 18 years old. In the days following Kirk’s death at age 31, Friess committed $1 million to TPUSA.
In a message sent to conservative friends and supporters on September 14, Friess emphasized that her contribution was intended to fuel the rapid emergence of “new TPUSA chapters across the nation,” aiming to strengthen the organization’s expanding influence.
Tucker Carlson, the former Fox News host known for his far-right views and close association with Kirk, also issued a fundraising call to help maintain TPUSA’s operations. Meanwhile, Dallas-based multimillionaire Doug Deason has signaled plans to boost his already significant financial support for the group.
Kirk’s ability to attract substantial donations, many from undisclosed sources, is reflected in TPUSA’s rapid financial growth. According to recent tax documents, the Arizona-based organization raised $85 million in 2024, more than doubling the $39 million it reported in 2020.
This influx of funds has enabled TPUSA to broaden its footprint on college campuses nationwide. At the time of Kirk’s death, the group claimed 900 college chapters and 1,200 high school chapters.
Andrew Kolvet, TPUSA’s spokesperson, informed Fox News on September 14 that the organization had received 54,000 requests from individuals interested in starting new chapters.
Political strategists and campaign finance analysts attribute Kirk’s fundraising success largely to his close connections with former President Trump and the broader MAGA movement.
Chuck Coughlin, a Republican consultant based in Arizona, told the Guardian, “Charlie was an exceptional fundraiser with deep relationships to President Trump and Don Jr. His loss is significant, and they will be working hard to fill the gap he left.”
Coughlin added that TPUSA is actively producing content that venerates Kirk, a strategy designed to raise funds and mobilize college students. “They are strategizing on how to carry forward Kirk’s mission,” he noted.
Another seasoned Republican consultant remarked, “Kirk became a magnet for mega-donors because of his strong ties to the president and vice-president.”
Tax records reveal that TPUSA’s financial backers include some of the most influential conservative donors. The Bradley Impact Fund, a major dark-money entity, contributed $23.6 million between 2014 and 2023; Donors Trust provided nearly $4 million from 2020 to 2023; and the Deason Foundation donated close to $1.8 million from 2016 to 2023.
TPUSA’s prestige among wealthy donors was further enhanced by hosting events at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. During the 2024 election cycle, the group’s political branch, Turning Point Action, raised and spent tens of millions to mobilize voters for Trump in pivotal states such as Arizona, Michigan, and Wisconsin, all of which Trump ultimately won.
On September 18, TPUSA’s board appointed Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, who had worked closely with him in recent years, to lead the organization. This decision honored Kirk’s expressed wish that she succeed him in the event of his death.
Veterans in campaign finance oversight anticipate that TPUSA will continue to attract substantial donations, at least in the immediate aftermath of Kirk’s assassination.
Larry Noble, former general counsel at the Federal Election Commission, commented, “It’s unsurprising that TPUSA is receiving increased financial support following Charlie Kirk’s assassination. He built a highly effective fundraising apparatus dedicated to backing President Trump’s campaigns and challenging the 2020 election results.”
Noble added, “It seems that some of Kirk’s affluent supporters are making significant contributions to honor his legacy and ensure TPUSA remains well-funded. Others are leveraging the tragedy to intensify attacks on Democrats, the left, and critics of Kirk’s work.”
Doug Deason, a member of TPUSA’s advisory board, stated in an email, “Charlie was already a legend before his assassination; now he is a martyr. TPUSA has always been about defending the freedom to openly discuss and debate ideas in public forums and classrooms without fear, the liberty to worship openly, and preserving the principles of our constitutional republic among young people. Now, millions more advocate for these causes. We will continue to support the TPUSA team.”
Deason told CNN that the day after Kirk’s death, he received a lengthy group text from other TPUSA donors, all expressing their intention to double their contributions to strengthen the organization’s resources. “Every one of us said, ‘Count me in,'” he recalled.
Originally, TPUSA and Kirk leveraged their MAGA affiliations to grow beyond their campus roots, where they initially gained traction by vocally opposing left-leaning professors-whom they placed on a “watchlist”-and organizing events promoting conservative viewpoints.
In 2021, TPUSA expanded its reach by launching Turning Point Faith, an initiative aimed at advancing conservative cultural values and forging stronger ties within religious conservative communities.
Kirk also rose in prominence within the Council for National Policy, a discreet and influential group where veteran conservative political and religious figures meet privately with major donors several times a year.
TPUSA’s close association with Trump drew criticism after the 2020 election, especially when Kirk echoed unfounded claims that the election was stolen.
Turning Point Action, TPUSA’s political arm, collaborated with roughly a dozen other organizations to support the January 6 “Stop the Steal” rally, which preceded the Capitol insurrection and involved transporting Trump supporters to Washington, D.C.
Kirk also faced backlash from some Republicans and Democrats for spreading misinformation and conspiracy theories, including opposition to COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
For example, in 2021, Kirk circulated text messages falsely claiming that President Joe Biden was “sending goons door-to-door to force COVID-19 vaccinations.”
Kirk’s influence within the MAGA movement extended through media platforms such as the Salem Radio Network, a Christian conservative outlet that aired the popular Charlie Kirk Show on weekdays for several years.
Following Kirk’s death, JD Vance, a close associate who credited Kirk with helping him secure his vice-presidential role, hosted Kirk’s podcast from the White House as a tribute. The episode featured guests like Tucker Carlson and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller. Vance also asserted, with questionable evidence, that “left-wing extremism” contributed to Kirk’s murder and pledged to combat “rising violence” from “far-left” groups.
Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old charged with Kirk’s murder, was reportedly in a relationship with a partner undergoing gender transition. A note found after the killing revealed Robinson’s statement that “he had enough of his hatred” and that “some hate can’t be negotiated.”
Looking forward, experts in campaign finance and Republican insiders agree that TPUSA’s fundraising outlook and organizational future appear robust.
Michael Beckel, research director at Issue One, a bipartisan organization focused on curbing the influence of big money in politics, said, “For years, conservative mega-donors have funneled money into TPUSA, often through donor-advised funds and other dark-money channels to maintain anonymity. TPUSA’s influence is likely to expand even more following Charlie Kirk’s assassination.”
Veteran Republican strategist Charlie Black remarked, “Charlie Kirk leaves behind a vast network of trained organizers and seasoned middle management. Their major donors are stepping up to contribute, fundraise, and pledge millions more to Turning Point. His widow is taking the helm and appears well-prepared for the responsibility.”
Coughlin further predicted, “The elevation of Kirk’s legacy will energize young conservative voters in the 2026 election cycle. His standing among youth conservatives and social media influencers was nearly unparalleled, and the Trump camp will benefit greatly from continually highlighting their close ties to Charlie.”
