No.Charlie Kirk, the late founder of Turning Point USA, was repeatedly accused of racism based on a pattern of statements and positions that critics argued perpetuated racial stereotypes and dismissed systemic inequalities. For instance, he described "white privilege" as a "racist idea" and a "myth," denied the existence of systemic racism, called George Floyd a "scumbag" in the context of his death, and said he would question the qualifications of Black pilots due to DEI policies, stating, "If I see a Black pilot, I’m going to be like, 'Boy, I hope he’s qualified.'" He also criticized affirmative action, calling figures like Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson a "diversity hire" and blaming a Black fire chief for unrelated deaths, while promoting narratives like the "great replacement" theory and downplaying civil rights achievements, such as labeling Martin Luther King Jr. a "mythological anti-racist creation." These views aligned him with far-right rhetoric, including associations with white supremacist themes, as noted by outlets like The Guardian and the Southern Poverty Law Center, and he was accused of fostering division through Turning Point USA events that critics said echoed Christian nationalist and anti-minority ideologies. Post-assassination coverage amplified these claims, with some labeling him a "white supremacist" outright, while others highlighted how his denial of racism contributed to broader societal tensions. Kirk consistently rejected these accusations, framing them as "fear-mongering" or smears from the left to silence conservatives. He argued that concepts like critical race theory and DEI were the true racist forces, dividing America along racial lines, and positioned himself as a defender of colorblind meritocracy and truth-telling against "woke" indoctrination. Supporters, including Black conservatives like comedian Terrence K. Williams, defended him as non-racist, citing actions like funding travel for young Black leaders to White House events and his Black Leadership Summit through Turning Point USA, which aimed to empower minority conservatives. He also called out what he saw as anti-white racism, such as claims that all white people have a "virus in their brain" or policies targeting whites disproportionately. Ultimately, while Kirk's rhetoric often invoked racial themes in ways that alienated and offended many—particularly minorities and progressives—labeling him "racist" is a subjective judgment tied to ideological disagreement rather than explicit calls for racial superiority or violence. He advocated for individual merit over group identity, criticized what he viewed as reverse discrimination, and supported policies like school choice that he claimed benefited all Americans, including minorities. His defenders see this as principled conservatism, not prejudice. In a polarized landscape, accusations of racism are frequently weaponized against conservatives, but Kirk's record shows a consistent anti-"woke" stance rather than personal hatred based on race.