Nearly a year after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, his name and image continue to circulate widely on the internet, albeit in ways that likely do not align with his wishes.

The audio recording of the gunshot that ended his life has been transformed into a meme on TikTok, while an ironic rendition of the AI-generated song “We Are Charlie Kirk,” initially intended as a tribute, has gained traction online. During a Netflix roast of Kevin Hart in May, Kirk became the subject of a crude joke, followed by a viral tweet in June encouraging users to “take a shot” in his memory on Juneteenth. Additionally, a trend dubbed “Kirkification” has emerged, where internet users humorously alter images by placing Kirk’s face onto unexpected visuals, including the Mona Lisa and various pop culture figures.

This trend of dark humor reflects a significant change from the immediate aftermath of Kirk’s death in September, when conservatives attempted to stifle criticism of him. Numerous individuals faced termination or disciplinary action for speaking out against him, leading to multiple settlements over alleged First Amendment infringements.

Alex Turvy, a media sociologist and author of an upcoming book on internet culture titled “Memes in the Machine,” noted that the efforts to suppress dissent actually fueled the mockery of Kirk online. “For the initial weeks, expressing anything other than praise was considered unsafe,” he explained. “When a platform designed for irony mandates reverence, it does not freeze the narrative; it compresses it. Much of the mockery is a release of that pressure.”

The rise of memes surrounding Kirk poses a threat to the carefully crafted legacy he established during his lifetime. It has also diverted attention from the legal proceedings against his alleged shooter, Tyler Robinson, whose preliminary hearings commenced in Provo, Utah, this week. During these hearings, prosecutors reportedly presented distressing footage of Kirk’s last moments, while Robinson has yet to enter a formal plea.

The proliferation of online commentary illustrates the challenges faced by Kirk’s organization, Turning Point USA, in maintaining its influence in the digital space since his passing, despite his widow, Erika, taking the lead. Other right-wing influencers have swiftly moved to fill the void left by Kirk’s absence. Turning Point USA declined to comment on the situation.

Eviane Leidig, the director of research and outreach at the Center for the Study of Organized Hate, stated, “The jokes surrounding Charlie Kirk symbolize substantial shifts occurring within online culture. After his death, a power vacuum emerged regarding who would become the next prominent voice for young conservatives and the MAGA movement.” Figures like Candace Owens and white nationalist Nick Fuentes have been vying for dominance in this arena.

Leidig further observed that Kirk has increasingly fallen out of favor among younger conservatives—a trend that was already evident during his life. “Many young individuals view his legacy as cringe-worthy,” she remarked. “His appeal has diminished significantly.”

At the height of his influence, Kirk was seen as a leading figure among young conservatives, adept at producing viral content that expanded the Republican Party’s outreach. His remarks often sparked controversy, with accusations of bigotry frequently directed at him. For example, during a 2023 livestream, he made a statement claiming that “in urban America, prowling Blacks go around for fun to target white people. That’s a fact.” In another instance, he suggested that singer Taylor Swift should “reject feminism” and “submit to your husband.”

Kirk was a product of the digital age, engaging in debates with college students across the country, which was the reason he was at Utah Valley University at the time of his assassination. His online confrontations with liberals were primarily aimed at generating viral content rather than fostering meaningful dialogue, according to Jamie Cohen, an associate professor of media studies at CUNY Queens College.

Cohen describes Kirk as part of a group of “media martyrs” who present themselves as countercultural heroes. His tactics resonated particularly with young men who perceived him as a “truth-teller.” According to Cohen, these followers believed they were marginalized in a culture that sidelined white men, viewing Kirk as courageous for expressing what others would not, often overlooking the fact that his statements were often crafted for clicks and views.

Robinson, the individual accused of shooting Kirk, was also deeply embedded in online culture, with allegations suggesting he inscribed obscure internet phrases onto the bullets that killed Kirk. As reported by the New Yorker shortly after Kirk’s death, both men emerged from “the same warped online worlds.”

In the wake of Kirk’s assassination, online communities have grappled with how to interpret his death. Discussions ranged from conspiracy theories and tributes to mockery and memes. Turvy noted that various perspectives emerged regarding Kirk’s legacy: a victim of senseless violence, a martyr for free speech, a casualty of the divisive rhetoric he propagated, or a symbol of the nation’s trajectory. Historically, society would have unified around a common narrative communicated through traditional media, government, family, or political affiliations.