NEW: ‘Charlie Kirk’ Was The Top Google Search Term In 2025

In December 2025, Google released its annual Year in Search report for the United States, revealing that “Charlie Kirk” topped the list of trending searches.

This ranking placed him ahead of major events and topics, including the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” a prolonged government shutdown, and popular entertainment releases like the Netflix film “K-Pop Demon Hunters.”

The surge in interest in Kirk, a prominent conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), spiked dramatically following his brutal assassination this past fall.

On September 10, 2025, Kirk was fatally shot while speaking at an outdoor event hosted by TPUSA at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. The incident occurred during a campus debate as part of his “American Comeback Tour,” with approximately 3,000 attendees present.

Authorities identified 22-year-old Tyler Robinson from Washington, Utah, as the suspect. Robinson surrendered the following day, and prosecutors charged him with aggravated murder, seeking the death penalty. The shooting was described as a politically motivated attack, as Robinson told investigators that he found Kirk’s views on transgenderism “hateful.”

Kirk, who was 31 at the time of his death, had built TPUSA into a significant organization focused on promoting conservative values among young people. Founded in 2012, TPUSA operates on over 3,500 campuses nationwide and engages students through chapter networks, leadership training, and events.

In the years leading up to 2025, the group reported substantial growth in its reach, including millions of followers across social media platforms. Kirk’s personal accounts, for example, had grown significantly, with his Instagram approaching 7 million followers and YouTube subscribers in the millions before the incident.

TPUSA’s major gatherings, such as the Student Action Summit and Young Women’s Leadership Summit, drew thousands of participants annually, with the 2025 Student Action Summit attracting around 5,000 attendees and AmericaFest hosting about 30,000.

Following the event, TPUSA experienced a notable increase in engagement. Reports indicated tens of thousands of inquiries about starting new chapters in the days and weeks after Kirk’s death, reflecting heightened interest in the organization’s mission.

Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, assumed leadership as CEO and emphasized continuing the group’s work to expand its influence on campuses and beyond.