The death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, which occurred during a university event in Utah, has shaken the political landscape in the United States and has revived old debates on social networks, especially for his controversial statements against migrants and public figures such as Shakira.
Kirk, 31, was shot and killed on September 9, 2025 during a question and answer session at the University of the Valley in Utah, while participating in the “Prove Me Wrong Tour”, organized by his band Turning Point USA, which had started that same day. The moment of the attack was recorded on video and went viral on social networks in a matter of hours, generating mixed reactions across the political spectrum.
Kirk criticizes Shakira for supporting migrants
Among the flurry of publications that emerged after his death, a video posted by Charlie Kirk in February 2025 resurfaced.
Here he criticized several artists during the Grammy Awards ceremony, including Colombian singer Shakira, who dedicated her award to migrants seeking opportunities in the United States.
“I want to dedicate this award to my immigrant brothers and sisters in this country. You are loved and worth, and I will always fight with you,” said Shakira upon receiving the award for Best Latin Album of the Year for Las mujeres ya no lloran.
Charlie Kirk reacted mockingly:
“What country is she from… Brazil?… No, Colombia. Does she live in Colombia? Probably not. I hope she has her papers in order,” he said, alluding to the immigration raids his movement supported.
The comment generated strong criticism on digital platforms, where many users accused him of xenophobia.
Attacked Lady Gaga’s speech
I hope she (Shakira) has her papers in order
Charlie Kirk
In the same video, Charlie Kirk also dismissed Lady Gaga’s speech, who dedicated her award to the trans community.
This came shortly after the Donald Trump administration eliminated several federal supports for trans people in early 2025.
“I just want to say tonight that trans people deserve love,” Gaga said, to which Charlie Kirk responded:
“I couldn’t say what I really thought on that platform,” later calling that kind of activism “a clown show.”
His trajectory as an activist
Charlie Kirk, born in 1993, founded Turning Point USA at the age of 18 and became one of the leading promoters of conservatism among young people in the US.
He opposed abortion, feminism, LGBTIQ+ movements and diversity policies.
He was instrumental in mobilizing the young Republican vote in Arizona during the 2024 election, contributing to Donald Trump’s victory.
His university tours and his aggressive presence in networks made him an influential but also very controversial figure.
During the pandemic, he spread unfounded theories about COVID-19 and vehemently defended the right to bear arms.
His combative style and radical approach to gender, migration and education issues made him a polarizing character, loved by some and rejected by others.
The investigation into his murder is still ongoing.
Meanwhile, the video in which he attacks Shakira continues to generate debate about the limits of free speech and respect for migrant communities in the United States.
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