Charlie Kirk Reveals NYU Students Know Nothing About Benghazi Attack on American Lives

College Students Unaware of Benghazi Attack

Charlie Kirk conducted street interviews at New York University, uncovering a startling reality about what young Americans know—or don't know—about the Benghazi attack. When presented with a hypothetical scenario about NYU opening a study abroad program in Benghazi, students revealed complete unfamiliarity with the city and its tragic significance in American history.

The responses were telling. When asked if they knew anything about Benghazi, students offered answers ranging from "no, I don't" to "I might have heard of it but other than that there's no real knowledge there." One student honestly admitted, "I don't even know where it is to be honest." Perhaps most striking, when asked if they would be interested in studying abroad in Benghazi, several students said yes despite their complete ignorance of what happened there.

One aspiring chef saw it purely as a culinary opportunity, stating, "I'm studying to be a chef so maybe if I could integrate that into some kind of broad Libyan food or culture or something yeah I would love to go cook for other cultures." The disconnect between the city's name and the terrorist attack that occurred there on September 11, 2012, was absolute.

The Educational Imperative

Kirk uses this footage to underscore a critical mission. "As you can see students here and all across the country have never even heard about the Benghazi attack," he states. For him, this isn't just a knowledge gap—it's a crisis that demands action.

Since the September 11, 2012 attack, Kirk argues there exists an imperative to educate America's youth about current events, politics, and issues that directly affect their lives. The Benghazi attack, which resulted in the deaths of four Americans including U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, represents exactly the kind of recent history that young Americans should understand as they navigate an increasingly complex world.

Turning Point USA's Mission

This street interview serves as a microcosm of Turning Point USA's broader educational goals. The organization, founded by Kirk, focuses on informing students about political and current events that shape their future. The Benghazi example illustrates why Kirk believes this work is essential—when students are willing to study abroad in a location without knowing about a major terrorist attack that occurred there, something fundamental is missing from their education.

Kirk's message is clear: American students need to be informed about what's happening in the world and how it affects their lives. Whether it's historical events like Benghazi or current political issues, Turning Point USA aims to fill the knowledge gaps that traditional education may be leaving behind.