Who was Charlie Kirk, the influential rightwing activist and trusted ally of Trump?

Author, activist and host co-founded Turning Point USA and used huge social media reach to push rightwing causes

Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA (Lynne Sladky/AP)

Anyone who wants to understand the rise of Donald Trump among young voters has to understand Charlie Kirk, dubbed a “youth whisperer” of the right, who was shot on Wednesday at an event at Utah Valley University and died afterwards.

Kirk was only 31 and had never held elected office but, as a natural showman with a flair for patriotism, populism and Christian nationalism, was rich in the political currency of the era.