Charlie Kirk was scheduled to appear at Utah State University this week as part of his American Comeback tour, but the event will now take place without him.
Following Kirk’s fatal shooting at Utah Valley University earlier this month, Turning Point USA, the non-profit founded by Kirk, announced the campus visits would continue. The tour has been rebranded as the Turning Point tour.
The visit at USU’s Dee Glen Smith Spectrum on Tuesday, Sept. 30, will feature Alex Clark, a conservative commentator and podcast host, along with a panel including Sen. Mike Lee, Rep. Andy Biggs, former Congressman Jason Chaffetz, and Gov. Spencer Cox.
Kaitlin Griffiths, the president of USU’s TPUSA chapter, said she wasn’t surprised when she heard the tour would continue.
“Turning Point has said Charlie wouldn't want his movement to go on pause because of this," she said. "I think that the movement’s only gotten stronger.”
Griffiths said that while the format of the event won’t be Kirk’s traditional “Prove Me Wrong” table, it will include a panel discussion and an open Q&A session.
“We obviously do allow protesters and those who disagree into our events," she said, "so there will be debate that could possibly get heated.”
But she added that the organization welcomes the exchange of ideas, much like Kirk did when he appeared at previous events.
Given concerns about potential violence or another shooting, USU has outlined security measures for the event. In an official announcement, the university said its Department of Public Safety will collaborate with local, state, and federal partners to ensure appropriate precautions. Attendees will be required to pass through a metal detector, and only small purses and clutches will be allowed inside. Security personnel will be stationed throughout the building and at entrances.
The tour has drawn criticism and pushback — both before and after Kirk’s death — but Griffiths said she trusts the event security and hopes a strong turnout will encourage open discussion about Kirk’s ideas.
“There will definitely be an emphasis on his legacy," she said. "I think that he stood for a lot of good things when it comes to, you know, healthy political debate, open discussions, and things like that — so I think that his ideas will be at the forefront.”