{"id":32942,"date":"2026-09-17T10:33:16","date_gmt":"2026-09-17T14:33:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/news\/?p=32942"},"modified":"2026-09-17T10:33:16","modified_gmt":"2026-09-17T14:33:16","slug":"charlie-kirk-statue-vandalized-as-jesus-is-crossed-out-satan-spray-painted-on-memorial","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/news\/2026\/09\/charlie-kirk-statue-vandalized-as-jesus-is-crossed-out-satan-spray-painted-on-memorial","title":{"rendered":"Charlie Kirk Statue Vandalized as ‘Jesus’ is Crossed Out, ‘Satan’ Spray-Painted on Memorial"},"content":{"rendered":"
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@TPUSA \/ X<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A newly unveiled statue honoring Charlie Kirk was vandalized with red paint outside Turning Point USA’s headquarters in Phoenix, while a nearby memorial sign was defaced with the name of Jesus crossed out and the word “Satan” spray-painted across it.<\/p>\n

The 8-foot bronze statue was installed on September 10 to mark one year since Kirk was fatally shot at Utah Valley University. Just days later, it was found covered in red paint, including across the face, neck and chest. Phoenix police said two people vandalized the statue shortly before 1 a.m. Sunday, and authorities are investigating.<\/p>\n

A memorial sign beside the statue was also targeted. A red “X” was painted over Kirk’s face and the name of Jesus in a message that read, “May Charlie be received in the merciful arms of Jesus, our loving Savior.” The word “Satan” appeared across the sign.<\/p>\n

Turning Point USA condemned the vandalism<\/a>, saying the organization was working with law enforcement to identify those responsible.<\/p>\n

“Beyond spray painting on the neck and face, they made the intentional decision to cross out the name of Jesus on a nearby sign,” TPUSA said before citing John 15:18: “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.”<\/p>\n

Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell also responded, saying, “These acts of vandalism will not be tolerated.”<\/p>\n

Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, who now leads Turning Point USA, issued a response of her own, arguing that the vandalism would not diminish her husband’s legacy.<\/p>\n

“They thought a bullet would silence my husband’s voice, but it only made it louder,” she wrote. “They think spray paint can obscure his legacy, but it will only spread it further.”<\/p>\n

She also directly addressed the decision to cross out Jesus’s name.<\/p>\n

“If you think crossing out the name of Jesus Christ will silence Christians, history has already proved you wrong,” Kirk wrote. “We know what it costs to stand firm for Christ, and we will stand anyway. God will not be mocked.”<\/p>\n

Turning Point USA spokesman Andrew Kolvet said the statue was cleaned<\/a> and the damaged signs were replaced by Sunday evening. The organization was also reviewing footage and working with police as part of the investigation.<\/p>\n

The vandalism came almost exactly one year after Kirk’s assassination. He was 31 when he was shot and killed during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025.<\/p>\n

Tyler Robinson, 23, has pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder and other charges in connection with Kirk’s death. A Utah judge recently ruled that there was sufficient evidence to proceed to trial. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.<\/p>\n

At Kirk’s memorial service last year, Erika Kirk publicly forgave Robinson, pointing to the Christian command to love one’s enemies.<\/p>\n

“The answer to hate is not hate,” she said. “The answer we know from the Gospel is love, is always love.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A newly unveiled statue honoring Charlie Kirk was vandalized with red paint outside Turning Point USA’s headquarters in Phoenix, while a nearby memorial sign was defaced with the name of Jesus crossed out and the word “Satan” spray-painted across it. 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