Governor Greg Gianforte joined thousands of students and community members at Montana State University this week for a Turning Point USA (TPUSA) event honoring the late Charlie Kirk, urging attendees to continue Kirk’s mission of faith, freedom, and love of country following his assassination last month.
More than 2,800 MSU students and several hundred Montanans gathered for the event, part of the national “This Is the Turning Point Tour,” launched in memory of Kirk after his September 10 assassination at Utah Valley University. The Bozeman stop marked the fourth event since the tour’s relaunch.
Opening the evening with a prayer, Gianforte offered words of faith and comfort to those mourning Kirk’s death. “Lord, we are thankful for each and every soul that is here tonight and those that are joining us online as we gather to celebrate and continue the great work of Your servant Charlie,” Gianforte prayed. “We pray tonight that this tragedy could truly be a Turning Point for our nation. Turn us away from divisiveness, separation, and violence, and toward engagement, respectful dialogue, and reconciliation.”
The governor reflected on his and First Lady Susan Gianforte’s 13-year friendship with Kirk, describing him as a man of conviction who inspired students across the country to live with purpose and courage.
Referencing Romans 8:28, Gianforte closed his remarks with a message of hope and perseverance. “The Word is clear, it says all things work together for good — even tragic, evil things,” he said. “God promises to use them for His glory and our good. He is doing that with Charlie’s tragic death. But the baton has been passed to us now. It is our obligation to pick it up and carry it forward.” The event also featured remarks from TPUSA’s Montana State chapter leadership and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.
Founded by Kirk in 2012, Turning Point USA is a nonprofit organization that aims to identify, educate, and organize students to advance the principles of free markets, fiscal responsibility, and limited government. Today, TPUSA maintains chapters on more than 3,500 campuses nationwide, including MSU in Bozeman.
Since Kirk’s death, TPUSA reports that more than 120,000 students have reached out to start new chapters, with 37,000 applications submitted — a surge the organization says reflects the continued resonance of Kirk’s message.
