{"id":2488136,"date":"2025-09-18T11:41:01","date_gmt":"2025-09-18T15:41:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/kirks-very-direct-impact-on-youth-will-carry-forward-his-work-zito\/"},"modified":"2025-09-18T11:43:55","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T15:43:55","slug":"kirks-very-direct-impact-on-youth-will-carry-forward-his-work-zito","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/kirks-very-direct-impact-on-youth-will-carry-forward-his-work-zito\/","title":{"rendered":"Kirk&#8217;s &#8216;very direct impact&#8217; on youth will carry forward his work: Zito"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fkirks-very-direct-impact-on-youth-will-carry-forward-his-work-zito%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2488136&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The article discusses the impact of Charlie Kirk, cofounder and CEO of Turning Point USA, on young voters and conservative politics. Senior Columnist Salena Zito reflects on Kirk&#8217;s influence, noting that he played a important role in energizing young supporters of former President Donald Trump.She expresses her emotional response to Kirk&#8217;s death on September 10, describing him as a bold and transformative figure who inspired a generation to feel purposeful and politically engaged.<\/p>\n<p>Zito highlights a surge in political activism among young people, especially after Kirk&#8217;s assassination, predicting that this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-nominee-for-top-state-dept-post-contributed-to-book-about-how-israel-lobby-controls-american-politics\/\" title=\"Biden Nominee for Top State Dept Post Contributed to Book About How \u2018Israel Lobby\u2019 Controls American Politics\">voting bloc<\/a> will continue to grow and be actively involved in conservative causes. She shares her observations from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/12-governments-limiting-christmas-festivities-over-coronavirus-again\/\" title=\"12 Governments Limiting Christmas Festivities over Coronavirus ... Again\">attending church services<\/a> and revival events filled with motivated youth, emphasizing their determination to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wheaton-college-removes-plaque-honoring-martyred-missionaries-because-it-used-word-savage\/\" title=\"Wheaton College Removes Plaque Honoring Martyred Missionaries Because It Used Word \u2018Savage\u2019\">carry forward<\/a> Kirk&#8217;s legacy.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, the article touches on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/indiana-sen-braun-endorses-trump-for-president\/\" title=\"Sen. Braun of Indiana endorses ... for ....\">broader political climate<\/a>, mentioning Trump&#8217;s near-assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, and comparing its impact on Trump to the affect of kirk&#8217;s death on his supporters. Kirk&#8217;s widow, Erika Kirk, has vowed to continue his movement, warning that the response to his death will be powerful and widespread. The <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >article underscores ongoing debates<\/a> about political speech on campuses and increasing interest in self-defense among women in the wake of recent events. <br \/> <!DOCTYPE html><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Charlie Kirk&rsquo;s &lsquo;very direct impact&rsquo; on youth will carry forward his work: Salena Zito<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2233505\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><em>Washington Examiner<\/em> Senior Columnist Salena Zito said Wednesday that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/3812881\/jimmy-kimmel-pulled-charlie-kirk-comments\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Charlie Kirk<\/a> is responsible for &ldquo;a lot&rdquo; of President <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3812989\/trump-antifa-major-terrorist-organization\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Donald Trump&rsquo;s<\/a> support from younger voters, predicting the voting bloc isn&rsquo;t going to &ldquo;shrink.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Zito said she never cries when covering the news, but she &ldquo;cried last week&rdquo; and every day since Kirk was killed on Sept. 10. She also said she was &ldquo;gutted&rdquo; since following Kirk when he was 18 years old, and that he was &ldquo;a really bold and brassy kid&rdquo; who changed the world.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3813223\/jimmy-kimmel-fired-abc-cancellation-debate-over-hypocrisy-cancel-culture\/\">Kimmel&#8217;s ABC cancellation fuels debate over &#8216;hypocrisy of cancel culture&#8217;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/3813307\/buttigieg-harris-first-choice-2024-running-mate\/\">Buttigieg was Harris&#8217;s first choice for 2024 running mate &mdash; if she was not a &#8216;black woman married to a Jewish man&#8217;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3813395\/former-biden-chief-of-staff-arrives-for-house-oversight-autopen-investigation\/\">Former Biden chief of staff arrives for House Oversight autopen investigation<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Zito recalled the book she published earlier this year, <em>Butler: The Untold Story of the Near Assassination of Donald Trump and the Fight for America&rsquo;s Heartland<\/em>, and spoke on the effect of Trump&rsquo;s first assassination attempt on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/3807153\/pete-buttigieg-biden-reelection-bid-2024\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the 2024 election<\/a>. She said people weren&rsquo;t &ldquo;paying attention&rdquo; to large numbers of excited, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/restoring-america\/faith-freedom-self-reliance\/3811568\/charlie-kirk-impact-generation-z-faith\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">young voters<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Young women, young men, they&rsquo;re excited, they&rsquo;re happy, they feel purposeful, and a lot of that came from Charlie. And so he had a very direct impact on this younger generation, and if you read the piece I wrote today, they aren&rsquo;t going to shrink. They are going to be bold and purposeful in carrying forward what he inspired them to be part of,&rdquo; Zito said on <em>The Hugh Hewitt Show<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>    <iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/cjA0gF6VQLQ?si=kmXSwTltKa4AXJoK\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>    <\/p>\n<p>Zito also said she attended Mass at a &ldquo;little country church&rdquo; on Sunday, where &ldquo;you couldn&rsquo;t get in the back door.&rdquo; She then went to a revival in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where &ldquo;busloads of kids&rdquo; were feeling &ldquo;bold and purposeful.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Zito, a friend of Trump who witnessed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/washington-secrets\/3811328\/nearly-9-in-10-expect-more-political-violence-blame-hot-rhetoric\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">him get shot<\/a> in Butler, Pennsylvania, said what &ldquo;really impacted&rdquo; him was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/3081773\/trump-rally-attendee-killed-assassination-attempt-identified-corey-comperatore\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the death of Corey Comperatore<\/a>, who was killed in the assassination attempt. She said &ldquo;it&rsquo;s the same thing&rdquo; with Kirk&rsquo;s death and how it is affecting the president.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A makeshift memorial at the Turning Point USA headquarters after the assassination at a Utah college last Wednesday of Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old cofounder and CEO of the organization, on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo\/Ross D. Franklin)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/opinion\/columnists\/3808706\/the-awakening-few-see-coming\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>THE AWAKENING FEW SEE COMING<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Zito said she&rsquo;s still figuring out how Kirk&rsquo;s death will affect the future, but that she&rsquo;s seen a &ldquo;surge&rdquo; of mothers and women purchasing firearms. She also predicted that if universities try to clamp down on political speech, people will still find &ldquo;a way&rdquo; to conduct civil debates.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk&rsquo;s widow, said last week she would <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3806468\/charlie-kirk-widow-tells-america-no-idea-what-you-unleashed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">continue her husband&rsquo;s movement<\/a> at Turning Point USA. She also said, &ldquo;You have no idea what you just have unleashed across this entire country.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script> <\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Charlie Kirk&#8217;s strong youth impact will continue, says Zito<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2632,"featured_media":2488137,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AP25261057265217-e1758207481694.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[10384,4185,43974,63618,57334],"class_list":["post-2488136","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-kirk","tag-legacy","tag-mentorship","tag-youth-impact","tag-zito-2"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AP25261057265217-e1758207481694.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2488136","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2632"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2488136"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2488136\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2488140,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2488136\/revisions\/2488140"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2488137"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2488136"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2488136"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2488136"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}