The murder of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk during an event at Utah Valley University sparked a nationwide wave of support, with thousands of Americans breaking donation records on platforms such as GiveSendGo and GoFundMe. In just a few days, millions of dollars were raised for his wife, children, and the tributes in memory of the conservative leader.
On Wednesday, September 10, Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA and an influential right-wing figure in the United States, was shot in the neck by a left-wing extremist during a university conference. Shortly afterward, he died at a nearby hospital, according to Utah authorities.
Within hours, supporters, activists, and citizens launched campaigns on GiveSendGo, which confirmed it had raised over 3 million dollars for Kirk's family.
Charlie Kirk y su familia.
Heather Wilson, co-founder and co-CEO of the company, stated in remarks to Fox News Digital: "The speed at which the campaign grew shows how deeply Charlie's life impacted people and how urgent it was to support them. What we're seeing is that people want a quick response to tragedy, and crowdfunding has become the main channel for that."
Wilson also emphasized the social function of the platform and the emotional weight behind the donations: "Our responsibility is to provide a safe environment where people can come together in times of need. Behind every campaign, there are real people suffering."
The executive highlighted that, in situations of collective grief, sadness often turns into concrete actions. She noted that "when people face tragedies and feel powerless, donating becomes a tangible way to express love, solidarity, and care."
Charlie Kirk y su familia.
Meanwhile, several campaigns were launched in Kirk's honor through GoFundMe, where a few thousand dollars have been raised so far. These funds are intended both for the activist's family and for the construction of a permanent memorial at the University of Utah. Among the organizers are students and members of Turning Point USA.
GoFundMe, which keeps a zero-tolerance policy against fraud or misuse, reserves the right to remove unverified initiatives and refund the money to donors. "We work collaboratively with organizers to complete the verification process and appreciate their willingness to keep the platform safe," the spokesperson emphasized.
