A family-run farm in Indiana is facing criticism after announcing a new corn maze tribute to conservative activist and commentator Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot last year.
Goebel Farms in Evansville revealed the design on Wednesday, describing the attraction as “Honoring the Life and Legacy of Charlie Kirk.” The unveiling comes just days ahead of the anniversary of Kirk’s September 2025 assassination at Utah Valley University.
Images posted to the farm’s website show the sprawling maze cut into the likeness of Kirk’s face, alongside the Turning Point USA, or TPUSA, logo and the message “RIP CK” carved into the crop.
Before his death, Kirk and Turning Point USA, the conservative youth organization he co-founded, played a prominent role in energizing young Republican voters and building support for President Donald Trump’s successful second White House campaign.
Representatives for the farm said Kirk was selected as the subject of this year’s corn maze because of what they described as his steadfast defense of free speech and his conviction that political differences should be addressed through dialogue rather than violence.
‘That is central to the meaning behind our maze. Even when our disagreements are serious, we must continue talking and listening to one another,’ Goebel Farms wrote in a statement to Facebook.
‘When conversation stops, division deepens and it becomes easier to view people as enemies rather than neighbors,’ it added.
But outrage quickly erupted after the announcement, with thousands bombarding the family-run farm’s Google page with one-star reviews and flooding its social media accounts with furious comments.
Goebel Farms in Evansville, Indiana, revealed its new corn maze carved in the shape of Kirk’s face, with the Turning Point USA (TPUSA) logo and ‘RIP CK’ etched into the greenery
The farm unveiled the maze Wednesday, calling it ‘Honoring the Life and Legacy of Charlie Kirk,’ just days before the anniversary of his September 2025 assassination at Utah Valley University
The farm appeared to have pulled its Google listing. All that remains is the farm’s name, followed by the description: ‘Religious destination in Vanderburgh County, Indiana’
‘Prime example of FAFO! What the hell did they think was going to happen!?! He was a polarizing hateful podcaster,’ one read.
Another said: ‘I just don’t get what Kirk has to do with fall… or Halloween? Did they want to commit business suicide?’
‘So stupid of them! I guess they thought everyone who goes there was part of their hive mind. I have a feeling their wallet will regret this decision,’ a third wrote.
‘Been taking my family there for 20 years. No more,’ another comment read, echoing hundreds of other former visitors who vowed never to set foot on Goebel Farms again.
The farm appeared to have pulled its Google listing after its rating plunged to just 1.6 stars, with its reviews and business hours now wiped from the search.
All that remains is the farm’s name, followed by the description: ‘Religious destination in Vanderburgh County, Indiana’ – a description that appears to have been added by a user amid the backlash.
Meanwhile, the farm shut down comments on its social media pages, drawing accusations of hypocrisy after boasting about its commitment to free speech just hours earlier.
‘They said it’s in the spirit of having open discussions with people you disagree with… then turned off the comments,’ one comment read.
Another said: ‘They so easily could have done a Dolly maze and made out like bandits. Nope. They chose hatred and division.’
‘They are getting absolutely slandered on Google reviews lmao. They boast about free speech then turn off commenting on their posts… quite the irony,’ a third wrote.
Goebel Farms quickly defended the tribute in a statement on Facebook, acknowledging Kirk was a polarizing figure but insisting the maze was never about forcing others to agree with his views.
‘Charlie was killed while publicly expressing and debating his convictions. In a country founded on the principles of free speech, no person should lose his or her life for participating in political discussion,’ the statement read.
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‘People are free to challenge ideas, criticize them and reject them – but violence must never become the response to speech,’ it added.
The farm owners also insisted that links to Turning Point USA’s website in their original post were meant to inform visitors about the organization, not endorse every belief held by Kirk or the group.
‘Goebel Farms is a family business, not a political organization. We welcome people with a wide range of political, religious and personal beliefs,’ the statement said.
‘We understand that some may disagree with our choice, and we respect their right to do so. We also recognize that using Charlie’s image carries meaning beyond the message we intended, and we are listening to the community’s response,’ it added.
Farm officials said they chose to honor Kirk in this year’s design because of his unwavering commitment to free speech
Goebel Farms defended the tribute, acknowledging Kirk was a polarizing figure but insisting the maze was never about forcing others to agree with his views
Farm officials doubled down in their statement, writing: ‘Goebel Farms is a family business, not a political organization. We welcome people with a wide range of political, religious and personal beliefs’
‘Our hope remains simple: that Americans can speak openly, disagree honestly and challenge one another’s ideas without hatred or violence – and that our community can continue treating its members with dignity and respect.’
Tyler Robinson, 23, is accused of firing a single shot into Kirk’s neck, killing the 31-year-old father-of-two during a Turning Point USA event at the UVU campus nearly a year ago.
He pleaded not guilty on Tuesday after a judge decided Utah County prosecutors had presented enough evidence to support an aggravated murder charge and send him to trial.
The key question in charging Robinson with aggravated murder was whether he endangered others when he allegedly opened fire on Kirk in a crowded area.
Prosecutors argued Robinson knowingly put more than 3,000 people in danger by allegedly firing into the crowd, creating the ‘great risk of death’ they say is required to keep execution in play.
His lawyers countered that the state had failed to meet the legal threshold, arguing he had a specific target and a plan to hit him – not put the crowd in the crosshairs.
But the judge ruled that the state established probable cause for the victim-targeting allegation, enabling prosecutors to seek the death penalty against Robinson.
‘Today’s decision, which comes nearly a year since Charlie was taken from us, marks an important step in our family’s pursuit of justice for him,’ the Kirk family said in a statement.
Tyler Robinson, 23, is accused of firing a single shot into Kirk’s neck, killing the 31-year-old father-of-two during a Turning Point USA event at the UVU campus last year
Robinson pleaded not guilty on Tuesday after a judge decided prosecutors had presented enough evidence to support an aggravated murder charge and send him to trial
The key question in charging Robinson with aggravated murder was whether he endangered others when he allegedly opened fire on Kirk in a crowded area
Robinson turned himself in just one day after the killing and now faces a single charge of aggravated murder – an offense punishable by death by firing squad. He also faces six additional serious charges, including witness tampering.
The proceeding finally brought months of fiery courtroom battles – and an unusually long preliminary hearing – to an end.
Even with the case now moving forward, Utah-based attorney Skye Lazaro warned that the legal sparring could continue for months before Robinson ever faces a jury, she told Fox News.
‘I do think we’re going to see a lot more litigation come down the road in terms of 1102 and expert-witness designations, forensic testimony on the ballistics and things like that,’ she told the outlet.