Pentagon official denies report of Charlie Kirk military recruitment drive

The US Department of Defense has denied rumors that it will start a recruiting campaign to honor Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist who was fatally shot at a Utah university event.

A Pentagon spokesperson quickly refuted the report to Fox News, citing two government officials who are familiar with the situation who were cited by NBC’s first report on Thursday.

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Although Kirk himself was not a veteran of the military, NBC reported that the Pentagon was considering using the slogan “Charlie has awakened a generation of warriors” as part of its campaign drive.

According to the report, the military hoped to collaborate with Kirk’s political group, Turning Point USA, as part of its recruitment campaign.

Through its outreach to young voters on campus of high schools and universities, Turning Point is credited with helping US President Donald Trump win in the 2024 election.

Later on Thursday, Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson told Fox News, “This is not happening.

Wilson criticised NBC for using unidentified sources to publish “false claims” that were “100 percent false,” according to the Fox News report.

According to the two unnamed Pentagon officials who spoke to the NBC report, “some Pentagon leaders” rebuffed the hiring plan because they feared they would be viewed as making money off of Kirk’s murder.

Al Jazeera’s request for comment was not immediately addressed by the Pentagon.

Erika Kirk, Kirk’s wife, will succeed him as Turning Point’s CEO and board chairman, according to a news release on Thursday.

“We won’t give in to evil” or “knel down.” In a social media announcement, the organization stated, “We will carry on.”

“We will have a chance to make Charlie’s work stronger and more enduring than ever,” says the author.

Leading Republican lawmakers, the White House, and Kirk’s death have caused a wave of grief, with some people losing their jobs as a result of comments that are allegedly disparaging the late conservative activist.

According to ABC News, the US military has also suspended “several people” for their alleged involvement in Kirk’s social media posts, though no specific number has been given.

According to a post shared on Turning Point USA’s X account, President Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are all scheduled to address Kirk’s memorial service on Sunday.

https://t.co/t0KIbEbhaP pic. https://twitter.com/ag6kIQBSjh