Charlie Kirk motivated young Republicans through his organization, Turning Point USA. He used podcasts and campus tours to build his political movement. CBS News' Nancy Cordes looks at his impact.

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Charlie Kirk emerged as a prominent conservative activist after founding Turning Point USA at the age of 18, aiming to mobilize young Republicans on high school and college campuses. His organization, known for its Christian conservative events, has grown to over 250,000 student members and has played a significant role in energizing youth participation in conservative politics.

Kirk's national profile rose further during Donald Trump's presidencies, where he became a frequent White House visitor and opened the 2020 Republican National Convention at age 26. He has been influential in rallying young voters, particularly during Trump's re-election campaign, and is recognized for his debates on college campuses, shaping political discussions among a new generation.

A look back at Charlie Kirk's life and impact on politics

You guys are the beginning portion of the greatest political comeback in American history. For more than a decade, Charlie Kirk has been the leading conservative activist, motivating young people to back Republicans. I want Trump to be president. Kirk burst onto the political scene in 2012, launching Turning Point USA. He was just 18 years old, with high hopes of boosting high school and college Republicans across often liberal-leaning campuses. We need to get on the college campuses, we need to get in the classrooms and challenge the ideals that are crumbling our democracy. The organization gained traction with its signature upbeat events centered on Christian conservative ideals. The nonprofit now boasts more than 250,000 student members. Charlie Kirk, you know Charlie Kirk, great guy? Donald Trump's presidencies propelled Kirk to national prominence. What advice would you give to the 25-year-old Donald Trump, knowing what you know today? Don't run for president. But we're glad you did. At just 26, Kirk opened the 2020 Republican National Convention. I see the angst of young people, as well as the challenges facing new parents. Four years later, he was a leading force behind Trump's re-election, holding rallies and events to drive a wave of conservative young men to the polls. If you say, I don't know if I could live under a Kamala Harris presidency, we need to do something about it. We need to go chase the ballots. And while Kirk was a frequent visitor to the White House, he still embraced where he got his start, college campuses. While touring, he was known for debating liberal students, delighting in the open discussion of ideas. Their costs are exploding because we don't actually address the root cause. He didn't always change opinions. I care about excellence, not diversity, because I do not believe diversity is a strength. I believe unity is a strength. I believe the pursuit of higher purposes is a strength. Does that make sense? But he did help shape the political conversation for a new generation.

Authorities shared new details about the suspect's movements leading up to the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The search for the suspect continued on Thursday.

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Trump vowed retribution in an Oval Office address after his close ally and conservative activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot on a campus in Utah. A massive search for the killer intensified following Kirk's death, with police going door-to-door looking for the shooter.

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Breakdown