Charlie Kirk’s Death ‘Awoke a Sleeping Giant,’ Turning Point USA Chapter Requests Skyrocket

Turning Point USA, the conservative youth organization founded by Charlie Kirk, has reported an unprecedented increase in requests to form new chapters across the United States following Kirk’s assassination.

The surge came in the days after a national address by Kirk’s widow, Erika, who vowed to continue and expand her husband’s work.

Within 24 hours of her remarks, Turning Point USA received 18,000 new chapter requests from students at high schools and universities nationwide.

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A staff member told Minnesota State Rep. Elliont Engen that the organization had 9,000 college chapters and 1,100 high school chapters prior to the announcement, underscoring the scope of the expansion.

“To everyone listening tonight across America, the movement my husband built will not die,” Erika Kirk said in a televised address from her husband’s studio.

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“It won’t. I refuse to let that happen. No one will ever forget my husband’s name. And I will make sure of it. It will become stronger. Bolder. Louder and greater than ever. My husband’s mission will not end. Not even for a moment.”

She added, “I’ll make Turning Point USA the biggest thing that this nation has ever seen. I love you, baby. Rest in the arms of our Lord.”

Support for Erika Kirk and the couple’s two young children has also poured in through a crowdfunding campaign hosted by the Christian platform GiveSendGo.

More than $6 million has been raised since the fundraisers were launched.

“GiveSendGo has always been a place where people can immediately respond to crises,” Heather Wilson, co-founder and co-CEO of GiveSendGo, told Fox News.

“Within hours of Charlie’s tragic death, friends and supporters had set up a campaign. The fact that it took off so quickly shows just how deeply his life impacted people and how urgent the desire was to support his family.”

Wilson added, “What we’re seeing is that people want to respond quickly when tragedy strikes, and crowdfunding has become one of the primary ways they do that.”

The outpouring of support has led to speculation about the future leadership of Turning Point USA.

Erika Kirk’s speech prompted suggestions that she could take on a central role in the organization.

Former staffer Anthony DeWitt wrote on social media, “I think Erika Kirk should be Turning Point USA’s CEO.”

Turning Point USA’s website notes that the organization oversees more than 2,000 student and faith-based groups across the country.

The recent surge in activity indicates that number could rise significantly in the months ahead.

Judah Waxelbaum, a former campus activist at Arizona State University, said Kirk’s assassination has galvanized the movement.

“They do incredible work with mobilizing and getting voters out there and chasing the vote. And they’re going to be energized. They have to be, and it’s what Charlie would have wanted,” Waxelbaum told Fox News.

“No one who admires Charlie Kirk is walking away from electioneering or what we’re doing in the youth space,” Waxelbaum added.

“And in a lot of ways, I wouldn’t be surprised if they’ve woken up a sleeping giant.”

The growth in chapter requests and donations reflects the national response to Erika Kirk’s pledge to continue her husband’s mission.

Turning Point USA now faces the task of managing rapid expansion as its members and supporters seek to carry forward the work that Charlie Kirk began.