Vandals Splash Paint on Kirk Statue

A newly erected memorial statue honoring murdered conservative activist Charlie Kirk was vandalized Sunday night in Phoenix, according to the organization he founded.

The statue was defaced with red paint, according to a post on X by Tyler Bowyer, chief operating officer of Turning Point Action, a youth-focused organization founded by Kirk.

The statue was unveiled on Thursday to mark the anniversary of Kirk's fatal shooting during a Turning Point event in Utah on 10 September 2025.

Kirk's activism and legacy have divided many in the country. Civil rights advocates criticized Kirk for rhetoric they described as racist, anti-immigrant, transphobic and misogynistic. His supporters described him as a champion of conservative values and open debate who mobilized young voters for President Donald Trump in the 2024 election.

(Reuters, SU)