A conservative student group has ignited a fierce backlash after constructing a near-replica of the tent where its founder, Charlie Kirk, was assassinated, encouraging supporters to take selfies with it.
Recreated Scene Draws 'Sadistic' Accusations
The controversial installation appeared at a recent Turning Point USA (TPUSA) rally in Phoenix, Arizona. Pictures and videos from the event quickly went viral, showing streams of attendees posing inside a tent strikingly similar to the one Kirk was sitting in front of when he was fatally shot in the neck in September. The gunman attacked in front of a crowd of 3,000 students at Utah Valley University.
Inside the replica, organisers had placed photographs of the late executive director for fans to pose beside. The stunt was immediately condemned on social media and by prominent figures within conservative circles.
Fury from Allies and Critics Alike
Candace Owens, a former friend of Kirk and fellow conservative commentator, expressed her dismay on X, formerly Twitter. "Recreating the tent Charlie died under for selfies? Seriously?" she wrote. "It felt like a seance. I actually want to know whose idea it was."
Other reactions were even more scathing. One social media user labelled the photo opportunity a "murder scene recreation" that was "nothing short of sadistic." Another stated, "They recreated the tent where Charlie Kirk was assassinated for people to take selfies… These people are gross and insane." A fourth simply asked, "That’s just disgusting, who greenlit this idea?"
TPUSA's Firm Denial and Defence
Facing the storm of criticism, Turning Point USA has strongly denied that the tent was a direct recreation of the assassination scene. A spokesperson for the group denounced the critics as "shameless."
Andrew Kolvet, speaking to the Daily Mail, insisted, "It was not the tent where Charlie was assassinated. We made many of them for the tour and this was an entirely different tent." He framed the installation as a tribute, saying, "We put up the tent as a tribute to Charlie, who lost his life fighting for free speech and debate."
Kolvet linked the tent to the conference theme of "be courageous and pick up your own microphone," arguing the attack was "a shameless attack against young people who were inspired by Charlie’s life and courage."
The organisation has been kept active by Kirk's widow, Erika, and maintains significant support within the MAGA movement and former Trump administration circles. However, this latest attempt to honour its fallen leader has profoundly divided opinion, raising questions about the boundaries of political memorialisation.
