Is Charlie Kirk's Turning Point USA Funded By Scientology? Donor Claims A Booklet 'Saved His Life'

A prominent Scientologist was an early financial backer of Turning Point USA and attempted to recruit its late founder Charlie Kirk into the church, explosive new reports claim.

The allegations resurfaced this week after a church insider alleged Kirk once insisted a Scientology booklet had 'saved his life.'

The assertions, reported by veteran Scientology critic Tony Ortega on his blog The Underground Bunker, centre on US technology entrepreneur Craig Jensen, a long‑standing member of the Church of Scientology, and raise questions over the extent of his relationship with Kirk and the influential conservative youth group he founded.

Scientology Donor Allegedly Courted Charlie Kirk

Discussion about Scientology's links to Turning Point USA emerged after right‑wing commentator Candace Owens claimed that one of the organisation's 'bigger donors' was a Scientologist. She did not name the individual or provide documentation for the claim.

Ortega said he later spoke to Joy Villa, a singer and former Scientologist who was once active in pro‑Donald Trump circles, about Owens' comments. According to Ortega's account, Villa told him Owens was likely referring not to a current major donor but to what she described as one of Kirk's 'early big funders,' Craig Jensen.

'Craig was heavy into trying to get Charlie into Scientology,' Villa is quoted as saying.

In material published by Ortega, Villa said she had previously contacted Jensen in 2017 to ask whether Kirk was aware of his Scientology ties. She supplied what she said was Jensen's emailed response, in which he allegedly confirmed Kirk knew of his membership in the church.

Email Claims Scientology Booklet Helped Charlie Kirk

In the purported 2017 email, Jensen is said to have written that he met Kirk through a 'good friend' before hosting an event for him at his home. He also claimed to have arranged for Kirk to receive an 'OSA‑escorted tour of the Flag building.'

OSA refers to the Church of Scientology's Office of Special Affairs, which handles external affairs, including public relations and legal matters. The Flag building, in Clearwater, Florida, is Scientology's largest facility and serves as its spiritual headquarters.

'He was blown away!' Jensen allegedly wrote of Kirk's reaction to the tour. 'I gave him a copy of the 'Cause of Suppression' booklet, and he said later that it saved his life.'

Jensen went on to state that Kirk 'knows full well I am a Scientologist, and he is supportive,' adding that he sat on the Turning Point USA advisory board, as cited in the email by Ortega.

The Church of Scientology has not publicly commented on the claims. Turning Point USA and representatives of the Kirk family have also not responded on the record to the reported correspondence. The extent of any financial contributions by Jensen to Turning Point USA, and whether they continue, has not been independently disclosed.

Charlie Kirk's Assassination And Turning Point USA's Future

The renewed focus on Kirk's reported contacts with Scientology comes more than a year after his killing at a Turning Point USA event in Utah.

Kirk, 31, was shot in the neck on 10 September 2025 while speaking at Utah Valley University by a gunman positioned on a nearby rooftop around 142 yards away, according to local authorities. He was taken to the hospital and later pronounced dead.

Police arrested 22‑year‑old Utah resident Tyler Robinson, who prosecutors say was responsible for the assassination. Robinson has been charged with aggravated murder, and prosecutors have said they will seek the death penalty. Court records indicate he has not yet entered a plea.

Following Kirk's death, his widow Erika Kirk assumed leadership of Turning Point USA. Her stewardship of the group, which campaigns on US campuses and within conservative grassroots networks, has drawn scrutiny from some supporters and commentators.

Speaking at a CBS town hall event in December 2025, Erika Kirk said she had not sought the leadership role but viewed it as both 'a blessing' and 'a duty' to her late husband.

'I was very happy being a stay‑at‑home mum. There's nothing wrong with being a mother,' she said, adding that she saw Turning Point USA as 'a living, breathing version' of Charlie Kirk. 'This organisation is not just a company to me, and the staff and employees are not just staff and employees, they're family. For me, it's a lot different and a lot deeper than a career. This is very personal.'

Neither Erika Kirk nor Turning Point USA has publicly addressed the specific allegations about Scientology involvement or Jensen's reported role as an early donor.