2,428 videos 1,380,136,590 views US Joined Aug 30, 2018
Charlie Kirk is the Founder and President of Turning Point USA, the largest and fastest growing conservative youth activist organization in the country with over 250,000 student members, over 150 full-time staff, and a presence on over 2,000 high school and college campuses nationwide. Charlie is also the Chairman of Students for Trump, which aims to activate one million new college voters on campuses in battleground states in the lead up to the 2020 presidential election. His social media reaches over 100 million people per month and according to Axios, he is one of the "top 10 most engaged" Twitter handles in the world. He is also the host of “The Charlie Kirk Show,” which regularly ranks among the top news shows on Apple podcast charts.
Charlie Kirk on Why Young Americans Can't Afford Homes Like Their Parents Did Anymore
Charlie Kirk addresses a young adult's concerns about the broken housing market and the American Dream slipping away. Kirk explains how the average income needed to buy a home skyrocketed from $59,000 to $106,000 in just four years, pointing to policies under the Biden administration and corporations like BlackRock buying up properties to rent back to Americans. Kirk outlines his vision for restoring the basic social contract for Generation Z: the ability to get married, have kids, and own a home, three things that should be within reach for every young American.
A young adult at a Charlie Kirk event voiced what millions of Generation Z Americans are thinking: how can we ever achieve what our parents did? The question centered on whether young people today will ever be able to buy homes at a young age like previous generations, given the current state of high interest rates and corporations dominating the housing market.
Kirk's response pulled no punches about the severity of the crisis. Four years ago, the average income required to purchase a home in America was $59,000 per year. Today, that number has nearly doubled to $106,000 annually—and Kirk suggested that in markets like Las Vegas, the requirement is likely even higher.
How Young Americans Have Been Robbed
Kirk directly blamed the Washington DC political class for creating an economic environment that has robbed young people of their future. He specifically called out how large corporations like BlackRock have taken advantage of the situation, purchasing homes across the country and then renting them back to the very Americans who should have been able to buy them.
This dynamic has fundamentally altered the relationship between young Americans and homeownership. What was once a reachable goal for middle-class families has become an increasingly distant dream, requiring nearly twice the income in just a four-year span.
Contrasting Economic Realities
Kirk pointed to the contrast between the current economic situation and conditions under President Donald Trump's administration. He argued that during Trump's presidency, home ownership was within grasp for young people, wages were increasing, and Generation Z could see their economic prospects improving. Kirk stated that Joe Biden has destroyed all of that progress, citing the numbers as undeniable evidence that the last four years have obliterated young people's ability to own homes.
This comparison formed the basis of Kirk's support for Trump's candidacy—a belief that returning to those policies could restore economic opportunity for young Americans.
A Policy Position on Corporate Home Ownership
Kirk didn't just identify the problem; he offered a clear policy stance. He stated his belief that multi-trillion dollar corporations like BlackRock should not be allowed to come in and buy homes to rent them back to Americans. This represents a populist economic position that crosses traditional political lines, addressing corporate power and its impact on ordinary citizens' ability to build wealth through homeownership.
The Basic Social Contract for Generation Z
Kirk outlined what he considers the fundamental elements of the American Dream that should be accessible to every young person, regardless of their political beliefs. He identified three very basic things he wants for Generation Z: the ability to get married, have kids, and own a home.
These three elements, Kirk argued, should be part of the very basic social contract for this generation. His message centered on the idea that restoring access to these fundamental life milestones should be a priority, and he expressed his commitment to working toward that restoration.
The Interest Rate Dilemma
When asked about potential changes in the housing market, particularly regarding interest rate cuts, Kirk offered a counterintuitive perspective. He explained that the Federal Reserve had announced plans to cut interest rates three times before the election, which would likely cause housing prices to continue rising—making the situation even worse for young potential homebuyers.
Kirk suggested that young people should actually want interest rates to go up in the current environment, as higher rates could trigger a collapse in housing prices, allowing young buyers to swoop in and purchase homes at more affordable levels. He then offered his personal opinion, acknowledging he had no hard evidence beyond speculation, that the Federal Reserve is lowering interest rates specifically to try to get Joe Biden reelected.
This economic analysis highlighted the complex relationship between monetary policy, housing affordability, and political timing—all factors that directly impact whether young Americans can achieve the same milestones their parents reached at the same age.
