ADL Classifies Turning Point USA in Extremism Glossary Following Founder's Assassination

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has included Turning Point USA (TPUSA), the conservative student organization founded by the late Charlie Kirk, in its "Glossary of Extremism and Hate." This classification comes as TPUSA experiences a significant surge in popularity following Kirk's assassination on September 10, with the development drawing sharp reactions, including from prominent social media accounts like Libs of TikTok, who stated, "Wtf. The ADL lists Charlie’s org Turning Point USA in their 'Glossary of Extremism and Hate' No words.

The ADL's decision to list TPUSA stems from a pattern of controversial incidents and associations. According to the ADL, TPUSA has been linked to problematic comments by spokespeople, appearances alongside known extremists, and instances of racist or bigoted social media posts by its activists. The ADL also cited Kirk's skepticism regarding the 2020 election results and his promotion of vaccine conspiracy theories as contributing factors to the classification.

Founded in 2012 by Charlie Kirk, TPUSA's stated mission is to "identify, educate, train, and organize students to promote the principles of freedom, free markets, and limited government." The organization's influence has notably expanded since Kirk's death, with the state superintendent in Oklahoma announcing plans to introduce TPUSA chapters in every high school. This growth occurs alongside a rise in antisemitic and anti-Israel conspiracy theories related to Kirk's death.

The ADL's classification has ignited further debate, particularly from figures like Elon Musk, who criticized the ADL for its assessment of TPUSA, labeling it "deeply wrong." Musk has also controversially called the ADL a "hate group" in response to other claims about the organization's stance on Christianity, though his own AI chatbot, Grok, has disputed these specific allegations. The ADL maintains its mission to combat antisemitism and extremism across the ideological spectrum.

The ADL's "Glossary of Extremism and Hate" serves as a public resource, providing an overview of groups and individuals whose views, in the ADL's judgment, can be considered extreme. The organization emphasizes that inclusion in the glossary does not necessarily imply illegal or violent conduct, but rather highlights views that promote extremist or hateful ideologies.