‘Charlie Kirk’ most searched term of the year, Google says, topping pop culture, iPhone and socialist Zohran Mamdani

Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was the most-searched term on Google by U.S. users in 2025, the internet giant revealed in its annual listing.

Kirk, who founded Turning Point USA, was assassinated Sept. 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University. Interest in his life, his movement and the Christian faith he espoused surged following his death, with Bible sales and church attendance spiking.

Kirk’s name surpassed all other searches, including “K-pop Demon Hunters” and “iPhone 17” as people watched videos of him debating students about abortion, gender, racism and other issues. 

He also outranked Zohran Mamdani, the democratic socialist who was elected mayor of New York City, and Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pope, who took office in May.

Tyler Robinson, who is accused of shooting Kirk, ranked higher in the search results than Erika Kirk, his widow, who has taken over leadership of TPUSA.

The organization, which includes a faith wing, has seen a dramatic increase in interest from churches as well as inquiries to start chapters in many of the nation’s high schools and college campuses.

At Kirk’s memorial service, which was streamed worldwide, President Donald Trump and members of his Cabinet quoted Scripture and presented the Gospel.

While Kirk’s name was the year’s top search, “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act” and “government shutdown” outranked “Charlie Kirk assassination” in the news category. However, his assassination beat “tariffs” and “No Kings protest,” a leftist event Kirk opposed.