Charlie Kirk statue vandalized outside Turning Point USA headquarters just a day after unveiling
A newly unveiled statue of conservative podcaster and organizer Charlie Kirk was defaced outside Turning Point USA’s headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, on Sunday.
The day after the statue was revealed, someone smeared red paint on the statue and defaced a Christian tribute posted outside Turning Point USA’s headquarters. Turning Point USA was founded by Kirk.
The paint was smeared across the statue’s face, on its neck — mirroring the spot where Kirk was shot and killed a year ago — and across its torso and left hand, according to Fox News.
A sign at the base of the statue with the words “Jesus defeated death so you can live” was also defaced. The word “Jesus” was crossed out and was replaced by the word “Satan.”
Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, who ascended to the head of Turning Point USA following his death, said in a statement that they would repair the statue and that the vandalism would not detract from her husband’s legacy.
“Charlie once said we should be building two statues for every statue that they tear down,” she wrote. “God will not be mocked.”
Phoenix police told Fox News the incident is being investigated. No arrests have been announced as of Sunday afternoon.
Turning Point USA Chief Operating Officer Tyler Bowyer said the organization planned to clean the memorial once police were done investigating the scene.
“God bless the police as they investigate the violent thugs who did this,” he wrote.
There is no indication that any violence occurred at the scene.
“We will restore the statue and replace the signs, but we are also reviewing the footage of the incident and are working with law enforcement to identify who did this and hold them accountable,” Turning Point USA wrote in a statement.
The statue was unveiled a day after the first anniversary of Kirk’s assassination while he was speaking at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025. A judge recently ruled that the man accused of killing Kirk will have to stand trial for aggravated murder, which — if he is convicted — could result in a death sentence.
As the anniversary approached, Kirk’s supporters began leaving flowers outside the headquarters to mark the occasion.
The statue depicts Kirk in the same “Freedom” T-shirt he wore on the day he was killed.
