Fact Check: Did left-wing activists vandalize Charlie Kirk’s statue with red paint?

PHOENIX, ARIZONA: A newly installed statue honoring Charlie Kirk at Turning Point USA’s headquarters was vandalized just days after it was unveiled. 

Images of the damaged statue quickly spread online, with social media users claiming that left-wing activists attacked it and smeared fake blood across the statue.

The claim has gained attention as supporters and critics continue to debate Kirk’s legacy following the first anniversary of his killing. Let’s fact-check the claim.

Claim: Left-wing activists attacked Charlie Kirk's statue at TPUSA headquarters

The eight-foot statue was revealed at Turning Point USA’s Arizona headquarters on September 10, marking one year since Charlie Kirk was killed while speaking to students at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.

On Sunday, September 13, someone vandalized the newly installed statue with red paint.

The vandalism also damaged a nearby memorial poster featuring Kirk. The poster showed his face crossed out, with the word “JESUS” visible on the altered image. Red paint covered several parts of the statue and its base.

Several of Kirk’s supporters accused left-wing activists of carrying out the vandalism.

One X user wrote, “A leftist lunatic VANDALIZED the newly unveiled statue of Charlie Kirk and a memorial poster of him with red paint outside TPUSA headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona last night. Throw the book at this DISGUSTING scumbag!”

Another X user wrote, “Left Wing thugs have already vandalized the Charlie Kirk statue installed at TPUSA headquarters just three days ago.” The user also claimed, “They murdered Charlie in cold blood. They celebrated his murder. Now they attacked his statue, smearing fake blood all over it.”

The post further stated, “America cannot coexist with the people like this. They want us dead. They want us to live in fear. These people are incapable of building anything; all they know is destruction. Keep these demons out of power.”

Fact Check: The claim is false

The claims are false. Phoenix police are investigating the September 13 vandalism, but they have not announced any suspects or arrests. 

No public evidence links the vandalism to any political group, making the claim that left-wing activists carried it out an unverified assumption.

Turning Point USA said it is reviewing surveillance footage and working with law enforcement to identify those responsible. Workers also cleaned the statue shortly after the vandalism.

Some people may have linked the attack to the political left because the vandalized statue honors Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative Christian activist and TPUSA founder. 

The red paint may also appear to resemble blood, particularly because vandals painted parts of the statue near the neck. The damage to a nearby Christian-themed sign has further fueled speculation.

However, these details do not identify the vandals or prove their political affiliation. Authorities have not released a manifesto, claim of responsibility, footage identifying left-wing activists, or any statement linking the suspects to a specific political group. 

Therefore, the claim that left-wing activists vandalized the statue remains unverified.