Charlie Kirk:
Controversial statements on race and diversity
Criticism of Black pilots and DEI: In January 2024, Kirk stated, "If a Black pilot is seen, it's necessary to hope he's qualified," while arguing that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives are "anti-White".
Comments on Black crime: In 2023, Kirk discussed what he called "Black crime" in inner cities, referring to it as a "huge problem no one wants to talk about".
Denunciation of the Civil Rights Act: During a December 2023 Turning Point USA event, Kirk stated, "We made a huge mistake when we passed the Civil Rights Act in the 1960s," claiming it led to a "permanent" bureaucracy promoting diversity.
Racist dog whistles: In September 2024, Kirk was among the first to spread unproven allegations that Haitian immigrants in Ohio were eating cats and dogs. This led to former President Donald Trump repeating the false claim in a televised debate.
Support for "Great Replacement" theory: In a February 2024 Instagram post, Kirk referenced the debunked "Great Replacement" conspiracy theory, which alleges that undocumented immigrants are intentionally replacing white Americans. In August 2024, he also accused a Black lawmaker of being part of an "attempt to eliminate the white population in this country".
Disparagement of Martin Luther King Jr.: Kirk dismissed Martin Luther King Jr. as a "mythological creation" of the 1960s and, during a 2023 event, called him "awful" and "not a good person".
Anti-LGBTQ rhetoric
LGBTQ+ agenda claims: Kirk frequently spoke against what he termed the "LGBTQ agenda," portraying it as a threat to American culture and claiming its efforts would "corrupt your children".
Statements on gender identity: He declared that "there are only two genders" and described transgenderism as "lies that hurt people and abuse kids". He also claimed in 2022 that transgender people were to blame for inflation.
Opposition to transgender healthcare: Kirk vocally opposed gender-affirming care, stating in 2024, "We must ban trans-affirming care — the entire country," and called for Donald Trump to run on this issue.
Homophobic slurs: In 2023, Kirk courted controversy by saying that if January 6 rioters had "stripped naked and filmed themselves having gay sex," they would have been treated more leniently.
Biblical interpretation of homosexuality: In 2024, Kirk cited Leviticus 20:13, which refers to "men lying with men... abomination," calling it "God's perfect law when it comes to sexual matters".
Antisemitic claims
Jewish control conspiracies: In October 2023, Kirk repeated antisemitic tropes about Jews controlling various sectors, alleging they dominated universities, non-profits, and Hollywood.
Philanthropy accusations: He accused "elite" Jewish philanthropies of funding universities that foster antisemitism, thereby "subsidising your own demise".
Claims of anti-white animus: In April 2025, Kirk claimed on his show that Jewish communities "have been pushing the exact kind of hatred against whites that they claim to want people to stop using against them". He also alleged that "the philosophical foundation of anti-whiteness has been largely financed by Jewish donors in the country".
Pandemic-related misinformation
Promotion of COVID-19 conspiracy theories: During the pandemic, Kirk used his platform to spread false and misleading information, including claiming the drug hydroxychloroquine was "100 percent effective" against the virus and promoting baseless conspiracy theories about Chinese authorities.
Opposition to mask mandates and lockdowns: He vocally opposed public health measures like mask mandates and school lockdowns.
Vaccine comparisons: In 2021, Kirk reportedly compared vaccine requirements to apartheid.
Other controversial statements
Promotion of Christian nationalism: Kirk embraced Christian nationalism, warning of a "spiritual battle" against "wokeism, Marxism and Islam." He also referenced the "Seven Mountains Mandate," a political-religious philosophy calling for Christians to control key areas of society.
Comments on gun deaths: After a 2023 mass shooting in Nashville, Kirk claimed that a certain number of gun deaths was a worthwhile "cost" for preserving the Second Amendment.
Support for January 6 rioters: In a January 2021 post on X, Kirk promoted busing "patriots" to Washington, D.C., to "fight for the president" ahead of the January 6th attack on the Capitol. Following the riot, he claimed the rioters did not represent the mainstream of Trump's support.