Alex Fahmy recalled first learning about conservative influencer Charlie Kirk through Kirk’s ‘Students For Trump’ organization during President Donald Trump’s first presidential campaign in 2016.
Fahmy, president of the Palm Beach Young Republican Club, reflected on the life of Kirk, a prominent conservative commentator who was shot and killed Sept. 10 while speaking during an event at a college campus in Utah. He described Kirk as the “voice” of a generation and a significant influence in helping Trump win younger voters during his 2024 bid to return to the White House.
“Charlie, he was an unapologetic advocate for his Christian faith, his values, his country and he was a voice for an entire generation,” Fahmy said. “I constantly turned to him for news, for advocacy, for events.”
Kirk, 31, was shot by an unknown assailant while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University. He co-founded Turning Point USA, a nationwide organization aimed at mobilizing young conservatives on college campuses. A candlelight vigil in Kirk’s honor will be held at 7 p.m. on Sept. 12 near the Palm Beach County Courthouse in West Palm Beach.
Charlie Kirk’s social media campaign helped lure younger voters to Trump
Fahmy said Kirk’s skill in the use of social media helped Trump reach younger voters during the 2024 presidential campaign, in which Trump defeated incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris.
“(It) was a huge reason why President Trump was able to win the vote when it came to the Gen Z and millennial population,” Fahmy said. “I would say that he helped President Trump get to the finish line for sure. “
Fahmy praised Kirk’s ability to engage in civil debates, noting that Kirk frequentily sought to have conversations with those who disagreed with his viewpoints. In the wake of Kirk’s death, Fahmy said it is important for such converations to continue.
Florida Atlantic University students gathered for a Charlie Kirk candlelight vigil and prayers at the student union on the campus in Boca Raton, Fla., on September 11, 2025. Kirk, who founded Turning Point USA, was shot and killed at an event at Utah Valley University a day earlier.
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A memorial for Charlie Kirk at the Turning Point Turning Point USA headquarters in Phoenix on Sept. 11, 2025.
“How he went about his debates and how he went about inviting conversations with people that may not agree him, if we don’t do that then we continue to be a country divided,” he said. “We have to understand that we’re allowed to have conversations. We’re allowed to have debates even though we don’t agree with them.”
Fahmy said he frequently participates in public speaking forums and intends to continue doing so.
“This doesn’t scare me,” he said. “This is only going to make want to speak in front of more crowds and carry on his legacy even more.”
Julius Whigham II is a criminal justice and public safety reporter for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jwhigham@pbpost.com and follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @JuliusWhigham. Help support our work: Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Palm Beach Young Republican reacts to death of Charlie Kirk