Charlie Kirk addresses Congress as US president in resurfaced high school footage

WHEELING, ILLINOIS: An Instagram user resurfaced vintage footage of conservative firebrand Charlie Kirk from his Wheeling High School days, showing the late Turning Point USA founder long before he rose to national prominence.

The footage includes a class project in which Kirk plays the President of the United States. The videos were originally posted by Instagram user @h00pervalley and feature a teenage Kirk years before he became a conservative firebrand.

The clips gained attention after conservative commentator Collin Rugg shared them on X, writing, “An Instagram user has found footage of Charlie Kirk’s high school class projects, including one where he was the President of the United States.” Rugg added, “RIP, Charlie."

The original Instagram post was captioned, “One more video I found of Charlie when searching for his High School Football Highlights,” and included clips of Kirk’s athletic exploits in football and basketball.

Old school video shows Charlie Kirk as mock US president

The footage paints a picture of a well-rounded teenager. One video shows Charlie Kirk wearing a basketball jersey, arms crossed alongside teammates against a gym wall. Another captures football action, with Kirk dodging tackles and celebrating plays on the field.

The clip that drew the most attention, however, was a class project in which Kirk delivered a mock 'State of the Union' address. Wearing a suit jacket over a casual shirt, he stands in front of a green-screen backdrop of a fluttering Stars and Stripes.

“My fellow Americans, the President of the United States,” a young Kirk declares to Congress. “Members of Congress, Senate, and Judiciary, thank you for joining me today for this State of the Union Address. There’s a very important issue I’m here to share with you today. Of course, there are world issues going on. We’re this close to war in Iran. High gas prices, unemployment at 8.4%, Barack Obama.”

The video then cuts to stock footage of congressional applause before Kirk pivots to his main point. “But there is one issue greater than all the rest – blue and gold. It used to be in this community, every Friday, kids would dress up and show their pride for school. But not anymore. We’ve lost that spirit, but it’s worth fighting for,” he says.

Kirk closes with a rallying call aimed squarely at his classmates. “As a school, we need to come together on this Friday – paint your face, wear your sweater. Show Wheeling High School matters. That is the message from Your President Charlie Kirk of the United States.”

Charlie Kirk's death and charges against suspect

The resurfaced footage comes just months after Charlie Kirk’s death during a rally in Phoenix on September 10, 2025. Authorities said the attack was carried out by a lone gunman with alleged ties to far-left groups.

Kirk, who was 32 at the time, was fatally shot in the neck with a single bullet from a family hunting rifle while speaking at an outdoor Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University. The event was attended by approximately 3,000 people.

The shooter, positioned on a nearby rooftop about 142 yards away, fled the scene and triggered a manhunt that lasted more than 30 hours.

Authorities later identified the suspect as Tyler James Robinson, a 22-year-old from Washington. Robinson surrendered to law enforcement the following day after his parents recognized him from surveillance images and persuaded him to turn himself in.

Robinson faces multiple charges, including aggravated murder, felony use of a firearm, obstruction of justice, allegedly for disposing of evidence, and witness tampering after allegedly asking his roommate to delete incriminating text messages.