Just days before the funeral of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, outrage has erupted after his company began selling branded merchandise tied to his death. The move comes as fans raised what one organizer described as an “eye-watering” amount of money through grassroots fundraisers, amassing hundreds of thousands of dollars in less than two days. The New York Times confirmed that Turning Point USA’s online store launched new items over the weekend, sparking both admiration and condemnation.
On Saturday night, Turning Point USA unveiled limited-edition apparel bearing Kirk’s image and slogans he popularized. While the organization insists proceeds will go toward “continuing Charlie’s mission,” critics argue the timing is cynical, noting that Kirk’s funeral has yet to take place. According to The Guardian, some families of Kirk supporters said they felt “exploited.”
At the same time, a flood of donations has poured into independent campaigns. One GoFundMe, set up by college activists, surpassed $400,000 within 36 hours, with organizers stunned by the outpouring. “We just wanted to cover travel for students attending the funeral,” organizer Jake Wallace told Fox News. “Instead, we raised enough to make national headlines.”
Charlie Kirk’s fans raised hundreds of thousands for his funeral costs in under 2 days. Meanwhile, his company is selling merch. Tone deaf. — @AC360
Inside Turning Point, staffers have defended the merchandise rollout. A spokesperson told Politico that the products are meant to “honor Charlie’s legacy” and help fund ongoing activism programs. But behind closed doors, some conservative allies reportedly expressed discomfort. According to The Washington Post, at least one senior donor described it as “tacky and unnecessary.”
Meanwhile, social media is ablaze. On X, hashtags like #KirkFuneral and #MerchGate have trended as supporters and detractors clash. Some posts celebrated the fundraising as proof of Kirk’s influence, while others blasted Turning Point for monetizing grief. Business Insider noted that one viral thread compared the rollout to a “concert merch table at a funeral.”
Fans raised $400k in 48 hours to honor Charlie Kirk. Turning Point turned his death into a sales pitch. Ugly. — @mehdirhasan
Family members have remained largely silent on the controversy, though friends close to the Kirks told The Los Angeles Times the family was focused on private mourning and funeral arrangements scheduled later this week. Those who worked closely with Kirk insist he would have wanted his movement to push forward, even amid grief.
Still, the optics are drawing criticism from across the political spectrum. Liberal commentators argue it cheapens the memory of a man whose death was already politically charged. Even some conservatives admitted online that the merchandise rollout “looked opportunistic.” NBC News reported that the backlash could overshadow what was meant to be a solemn tribute.
You don’t sell t-shirts before a funeral. You mourn. Turning Point has lost the plot. — @RickWilson
For many, though, the donations tell a different story: a base of supporters who remain intensely loyal. Kirk’s sudden death shocked his movement, but the fundraising blitz underscores just how much he meant to his audience. Whether the merchandise strategy becomes a lasting stain or a footnote will depend on how Turning Point handles the days ahead.