TPUSA's Charlie Kirk: Trans People Are A "Throbbing Middle Finger to God"

Turning Point USA's Charlie Kirk calls trans people a "throbbing middle finger to god" and "an abomination" in a video released Monday.

In a video released Monday by Right Wing Watch, Turning Point USA’s Charlie Kirk calls transgender people a “throbbing middle finger to God” and “an abomination.” He follows up by deadnaming University of Pennsylvania transgender swimmer Lia Thomas, stating, “you’re an abomination to God.” Kirk, an influential conservative who runs Turning Point USA, has previously made statements that could be interpreted to promote violence towards transgender people, such as the time he called for transgender people to be “taken care of” like men did in the “1950s and 60s.”

You can see the video here (content warning: extreme anti-trans rhetoric, deadnaming):

Turning Point USA has played a significant role in politics opposing transgender rights. The organization, which operates with a budget in the tens of millions of dollars, supports candidates who emphasize anti-trans stances in their campaigns. For example, Rep. Braxton Mitchell of Montana authored the state's anti-drag bill, which passed but was later blocked as likely unconstitutional. Rep. Mazzie Boyd of Missouri penned similar legislation. Both were candidates that were developed through TPUSA or at conventions run by them. Additionally, Turning Point USA operates the "Turning Point Academy," an "educational movement" promoting anti-LGBTQ narratives for K-12 students. The organization has collaborated with Libs of TikTok, managed by Chaya Raichik, a notable anti-trans Twitter account criticized for inciting anti-trans violence.

Charlie Kirk has previously made extreme remarks about transgender individuals. Earlier this year, he interviewed swimmer Riley Gaines, known for her anti-trans views, and seemed to suggest transgender people should be dealt with violently, stating that trans people are “sick” and that men should have “taken care of” trans people like “we did in the 1950s and 60s.” Such remarks sparked significant protests at several universities where Kirk was scheduled to speak, including the University of California, Davis.

Charlie Kirk's organization often conducts speaking tours on college campuses. One notable tour is the Live Free Tour. In 2022, it was advertised as an event to "counter left-leaning propaganda and uphold conservative values in the classroom." The 2023 tour includes both Charlie Kirk and Candace Owens. Owens has made violent comments regarding transgender individuals, suggesting she would beat a hypothetical trans grandchild with a cane and advocating for the removal of trans children from their parents.

Here are the 2023 tour dates for the Live Free Tour this year:

• San Jose State University - October 2nd

• University of Central Florida - October 10th

• Georgia Tech - October 12th

• University of Texas, San Antonio - October 18th

• The University of Buffalo - October 25th

• University of California, Los Angeles - November 9th

Kirk, along with many opponents of transgender rights, has often suggested that his views are rooted in science. He has criticized policies that allow transgender participation in sports, saying, “We have entered dangerous territory where science, biology, and facts no longer matter.” Turning Point USA has published videos echoing similar sentiments. However, Kirk's recent statements may cast doubt on this position. A majority of the anti-trans care bans over the past two years were crafted by a coalition of religious groups, as per leaked emails covered by Vice News, which characterized the emails as indicative of an "anti-trans holy war."

With the organization and its leader increasingly emphasizing anti-trans legislation, monitoring their stance in the upcoming months will be crucial, especially as we approach 2024’s elections. While elections centered on trans issues haven't resulted in many conservative wins—and have arguably led to losses in states such as Wisconsin, Michigan, Arizona and Georgia—it's evident that Kirk and his organization view this as a galvanizing issue to rally a Republican base that opposes transgender rights.