Utah Governor Spencer Cox declared September 10, 2026, as Charlie Kirk Day in Utah to mark the first anniversary of the death of the right-wing activist. In a statement released via social media on Thursday, Sept. 10, Cox called for a rejection of political polarization and violence.
Kirk, the 31-year-old co-founder of Turning Point USA and an ally of Donald Trump, was shot in the neck while delivering a speech to approximately 3,000 people on the Utah Valley University campus in Orem. Two days after Kirk was moved to a hospital following the incident, authorities arrested Tyler Robinson, then 22, who faces charges including aggravated murder.
In his message, Cox stated that the day serves to honor Kirk's memory by choosing a brand of politics that defends beliefs firmly while rejecting all forms of violence. The governor noted that Kirk's life and work demonstrated the necessity of robust public discourse for a healthy democracy. He added that Utah is committed to being a place where ideas can be debated with conviction rather than violence.
On the day of the anniversary, Utah Valley University closed its doors while Turning Point USA organized an event on campus. Additionally, a university committee is currently working on the creation of a permanent monument to Kirk on the UVU campus.
Kirk was known for mobilizing young voters. While a statue was unveiled in Phoenix on Thursday, Sept. 10, the UVU monument remains a work in progress.
