By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-09-14 03:05:44 | Updated at 2026-09-14 04:01:23
1 hour ago
A new statue of Turning Point USA (TPUSA) founder Charlie Kirk outside the conservative organisation's headquarters was defaced just days after being unveiled.
Footage of the eight-foot statue outside the youth organisation's Phoenix, Arizona base, show it smeared with red paint on its face and neck, with what seems to be a crudely-painted frowny face on its chest.
A sign near the base of the statue shows a picture of Mr Kirk and reads: "May Charlie be received into the merciful arms of Jesus, our loving Savior."
But it too has been defaced with a cross over the conservative leader's face, the word "Jesus" covered and the word "Satan" seemingly written on the display.
The attack on the monument happened just days after it was unveiled on September 10, the one-year anniversary of Mr Kirk's assassination as he spoke at Utah Valley University.
In a statement on social media, TPUSA said it would restore and replace the memorial and was now working with law enforcement.
Describing the act as "diabolical", it added: "The incident happened in the middle of the night because evil never sleeps.
"Beyond spray painting on the neck and face, they made the intentional decision to cross out the name of Jesus on a nearby sign."
Turning Point USA said the act was 'diabolical'
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Phoenix police said officers received reports of vandalism at the memorial at 8.09am (4.09pm BST) with an investigation now underway.
Erika Kirk, Charlie's widow and leader of TPUSA, said her organisation would "never give up and never surrender" in a statement on social media.
"They thought a bullet would silence my husband’s voice but it only made it louder," she said.
"They think spray paint can obscure his legacy, but it will only spread it further.
"Every attempt to tear down what Charlie built makes us root deeper and work even harder."
She added: "And if you think crossing out the name of Jesus Christ will silence Christians, history has already proved you wrong.
"We know what it costs to stand firm for Christ and we will stand anyway. God will not be mocked."
Late on Sunday, TPUSA spokesman Andrew Kolvet said the statue was "back looking good as new", sharing a picture of the monument without any red paint.
Erika Kirk said her organisation would 'never give up and never surrender'
REUTERS
US lawmakers in Arizona also quickly denounced the defacing of the statue.
Republican Representative Abe Hamadeh condemned the attack as "truly abhorrent".
"The young people who work at Turning Point don’t deserve this, Charlie’s family doesn’t deserve this, his friends don’t deserve this. The left is intolerant and militant," he added.
Fellow Republican Congressman Andy Biggs said the incident proved the "liberties Charlie died advocating for are still under attack".
"We will not let the enemies of freedom win," he added. "We will continue to defend our rights, empower new generations of patriots, and honor the legacy of our fallen friend."
