Charlie Kirk Surges to No. 1 in Google Searches for 2025 as His Message Reaches Millions
Google’s annual Year in Search 2025 data revealed that the late Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, became the most trending search of the year, surpassing politicians, pop culture, and major global events — a clear sign that his ideas and legacy continue to resonate nationwide.
According to Google, Kirk’s name outpaced searches for Zohran Mamdani, the Netflix release K-Pop Demon Hunters, the iPhone 17, and even the 43-day federal government shutdown. The data underscores how Kirk’s influence extended far beyond conservative circles and into the broader national conversation.
Authorities arrested Tyler Robinson, 22, in the early hours of Sept. 12, accusing him of fatally shooting Kirk during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University two days earlier. The killing sent shockwaves through the conservative movement and ignited widespread discussion about political violence and free speech on campus.
Kirk’s assassination ranked as the third-most searched news topic of 2025, generating more interest than the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, the Roman Catholic Church’s selection of a new pope, the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, President Donald Trump’s inauguration for his second term, and the tariffs President Trump imposed in April.
In the category of notable deaths, Kirk ranked first overall, surpassing well-known public figures including actors Michelle Trachtenberg, Val Kilmer, Gene Hackman, and Diane Keaton; professional wrestler Hulk Hogan; Pope Francis; and Food Network host Anne Burrell.
Public attention also extended to Kirk’s family and the organization he built. His widow, Erika Kirk, who succeeded her late husband as CEO of Turning Point USA, ranked fourth among trending people in 2025 — ahead of Pope Leo XIV, Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, and ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. Robinson, the alleged shooter, ranked second among trending individuals nationwide.
Despite the tragedy, Turning Point USA has reportedly received more than 100,000 inquiries about starting new chapters since Kirk’s assassination on Sept. 10 — evidence that, even in death, his message continues to mobilize a new generation of Americans committed to free speech, limited government, and constitutional values.