Charlie Kirk never really presented him this way but he was the founder & head of one of the largest think-tanks that is up there with Heritage Foundation. TPUSA was responsible for translating conservative values to Gen-Z/YA who were an all-but-forgotten demographic by mainstream GOP.

He was a cofounder, along with Bill Montgomery, an octogenarian Tea Party Republican.

Kirk was the young face who brought lots of energy, but he was well funded by old Republicans (incl. Foster Friess).