Military leaders are considering a recruitment campaign geared towards honoring the legacy of conservative activist and Trump ally Charlie Kirk, according to a new report.
Kirk, 31, was fatally shot during an event for his conservative youth organization, Turning Point USA, at a Utah college last week.
Tributes from the MAGA world poured in following Kirk’s death as they remembered him as a great leader in the conservative movement. Kirk’s widow, Erika, who will take over as CEO of Turning Point, called him a “martyr.”
Now the Pentagon is considering a new recruitment strategy based around his death, NBC News reports. The possible campaign would be a call to service, with one potential slogan being, “Charlie has awakened a generation of warriors,” according to two unnamed officials who spoke with the outlet.
Military leaders are considering using chapters of Turning Point USA as potential recruitment centers, the officials said. Turning Point USA has more than 1,000 high school clubs and around 800 college chapters.
Some top Pentagon officials have privately shared concerns that a recruitment strategy based around Kirk could seem like the military trying to capitalize on his death, according to the officials.
Kirk did not serve in the military and the Armed Forces are meant to be nonpartisan.
Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement to NBC News, “The media is so desperate to attack this administration’s success that they are now inventing lies about our recruitment efforts.
“Leadership matters, and under the strong leadership of President Trump and Secretary Hegseth men and women are coming out in droves to serve this great nation.”
The Independent has reached out to the Pentagon and Turning Point USA for comment.
The Pentagon has said it is “on track to meet or exceed” its annual recruitment goals, “despite ongoing recruiting challenges.”
From the start of this year through the end of July, the Army recruited more than 50,400 active service members, the Navy recruited more than 35,200, the Marines recruited more than 19,500, the Air Force recruited nearly 26,700 and the Space Force recruited nearly 700, according to government data.
Kirk’s suspected assassin, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, has been charged with aggravated murder, among other counts. Utah prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox said Robinson had a “leftist ideology.” Utah prosecutors said he texted his roommate and alleged romantic partner — who authorities say is a biological male transitioning to female — “I had enough of [Kirk’s] hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out.”
Jon Stewart to host 'The Daily Show' in rare mid-week appearance a day after Kimmel suspension
Turning Point USA names its new CEO after Charlie Kirk’s death
Why was Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show suspended? Here's what we know
‘All they do is hit’: Trump says networks should be axed for critical coverage
Trump gives rambling answer when pressed about attacks on First Amendment
Jon Stewart to host 'The Daily Show' in rare mid-week appearance a day after Kimmel suspension
