Charlie Kirk’s death: Who is Nick Fuentes, leader of Groyper movement? Is Tyler Robinson his follower?

The killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah has cast a fresh spotlight on Nick Fuentes, the far-right commentator and leader of the Groyper movement. Following claims that Tyler Robinson—the 22-year-old accused of fatally shooting Kirk—may have been connected to Fuentes’ online faction, the controversial activist issued a sharp denial.

In a post on X, Fuentes dismissed the allegations, accusing the media and political opponents of framing him and his followers. “My followers and I are currently being framed for the murder of Charlie Kirk by the mainstream media based on literally zero evidence,” he wrote. “After the Left gunned him down, they celebrated and justified it. They said I was next. Now they are blaming me. These people are pure evil.”

My followers and I are currently being framed for the murder of Charlie Kirk by the mainstream media based on literally zero evidence.

After the Left gunned him down, they celebrated and justified it. They said I was next. Now they are blaming me.

These people are pure evil. pic.twitter.com/WRQdt7G3Dp

— Nicholas J. Fuentes (@NickJFuentes) September 13, 2025

Fuentes’ denial has reignited discussion about his influence, his movement, and the wider issue of political extremism online.

Who Is Nick Fuentes?

Nicholas Joseph Fuentes, 26, emerged as a prominent figure in the far-right ecosystem during the late 2010s. He first gained traction as a YouTube commentator with fiery defenses of former President Donald Trump and his “America First” agenda. His broadcasts combined political commentary with internet meme culture, appealing to disaffected young conservatives who felt mainstream Republican figures were abandoning hardline nationalist and religious values.

Fuentes is best known for his America First show, a livestream where he promotes ultranationalist views, criticizes immigration, and rails against multiculturalism. Over time, his rhetoric expanded to include openly antisemitic comments, anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment, and calls for a form of Christian theocracy in America.

Despite being banned from most major social media platforms—including YouTube, Twitter (at the time), Facebook, and Instagram—he has retained a loyal following by using alternative platforms and encrypted channels.

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Inside the Groyper Movement

The Groyper movement, founded and led by Fuentes, is an online faction made up of young, mostly male supporters who blend extremist ideologies with internet subculture. The movement takes its name from a meme depicting a cartoon frog—a cousin of the infamous Pepe meme—often used as a symbol of trolling and online counterculture.

Groypers are characterized by:

• A rejection of mainstream conservatism, which they label as “too weak” or “too globalist.”

• Antisemitic and white nationalist rhetoric couched in ironic humor and memes.

• A focus on Christian nationalism and opposition to LGBTQ+ rights.

• Hostility toward immigration and multiculturalism.

The group gained notoriety in 2019 during what became known as the “Groyper Wars.” During this period, Fuentes’ followers confronted conservative figures like Charlie Kirk, Ben Shapiro, and Dan Crenshaw at live events, accusing them of betraying conservative values by supporting Israel, tolerating LGBTQ+ inclusion, or failing to push strict anti-immigration policies.

Fuentes Responds to Robinson Allegations

Amid speculation that Tyler Robinson, Kirk’s alleged killer, may have been influenced by extremist internet factions, Fuentes has found himself once again under scrutiny. Reports claimed Robinson may have engaged with far-right and fringe online communities, though no formal evidence has tied him to the Groypers.

Still, Fuentes moved swiftly to push back. In addition to his posts on X, he accused the mainstream press of exploiting the tragedy to discredit his movement. He framed the accusations as part of a broader pattern of attempts to silence and demonize his brand of politics.

A History of Controversy

Fuentes’ denial comes against the backdrop of a long list of controversies:

• No-Fly List Inclusion: In 2021, Fuentes was temporarily placed on the FBI’s no-fly list due to alleged extremist ties, though he was later removed.

• January 6 Capitol Riot: He attended the “Stop the Steal” rally in Washington, D.C., and some of his followers were present at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, though Fuentes himself has not been charged.

• Platform Bans: He has been banned from mainstream platforms for hate speech and policy violations, forcing him into alternative spaces like Telegram and his own streaming site.

• Political Positioning: He has openly advocated for ending women’s right to vote, restricting immigration, and instituting policies rooted in Christian nationalism.

These controversies have cemented Fuentes as one of the most divisive figures in American politics—hated by liberals, distrusted by mainstream conservatives, but revered in certain far-right circles.

The Kirk-Fuentes Divide

Though both men operated in pro-Trump political spaces, Nick Fuentes and Charlie Kirk were rivals. Kirk’s Turning Point USA sought to build a broad coalition of young conservatives through college activism and mainstream outreach. Fuentes, by contrast, rejected what he saw as “weak conservatism” and directly attacked Kirk for being too accommodating on issues like same-sex marriage, Israel, and immigration.

This bitter divide makes the alleged connection between Robinson and the Groypers even more complicated. Critics point out that a Groyper-linked attack on Kirk would defy the movement’s usual stance, as Fuentes and Kirk were ideological opponents.

What Authorities Are Saying

So far, Utah investigators have not confirmed any formal ties between Robinson and the Groyper movement. Governor Spencer Cox has said Robinson appeared to be politically radicalized online but stopped short of linking him directly to Fuentes.

As Robinson prepares to face court, the speculation around his motives—and whether fringe movements influenced his actions—continues to grow. For Fuentes, the episode highlights his precarious position: a figure whose movement thrives on the edges of American politics but who repeatedly finds himself pulled into national headlines whenever extremist violence occurs.

The Bigger Picture

Whether or not Tyler Robinson had ties to the Groypers, the case underscores the influence of online radicalization and the dangerous intersection between internet culture and extremist ideology. It also shows how figures like Fuentes—though not directly linked to violence—remain at the center of debates about the future of conservatism, free speech, and extremism in America.