Washington, D.C. – In a somber video address to the nation on Wednesday evening, President Donald Trump mourned the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, fatally shot earlier that day at Utah Valley University (UVU) during a Turning Point USA event.
Calling Kirk a “martyr for truth and freedom,” Trump blamed “radical left” rhetoric for inciting “terrorism,” linking the shooting to his own July 2024 assassination attempt, attacks on ICE agents, and other political violence.
Trump’s initial Truth Social post called for prayers for Kirk, a “great guy from top to bottom,” followed by a second post lamenting, “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead.” He ordered U.S. flags at half-staff until September 14. As the FBI hunts for the suspect—a college-age male captured in photos released Thursday—the killing has inflamed far-right rhetoric, with figures like Steve Bannon and Elon Musk framing Kirk as a casualty in a cultural “war.”
Trump’s National Address and Blame on the Left
Speaking from the White House at 8:00 p.m. EDT on September 10, Trump described Kirk as a patriot who “inspired millions” and was “respected by youth,” stating, “This is a dark moment for America.” He condemned rhetoric “demonizing those with whom you disagree,” asserting, “For years, those on the radical left have compared wonderful Americans like Charlie to Nazis and the world’s worst mass murderers and criminals. This kind of rhetoric is directly responsible for the terrorism that we’re seeing in our country today, and it must stop right now.”
Trump vowed his administration would target “each and every one of those who contributed to this atrocity,” including organizations funding political violence, and cited attacks on ICE agents, the 2017 shooting of Rep. Steve Scalise, and the February 2025 murder of a New York healthcare executive.
Trump’s second Truth Social post at 6:45 p.m. read: “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”
He praised Kirk’s faith, saying, “We take comfort in the knowledge that he is now at peace with God in heaven,” and declared, “An assassin tried to silence him with a bullet, but he failed, because together we will ensure that his voice, his message, and his legacy will live on for countless generations to come.”
The Ongoing Investigation
Today, the Salt Lake City FBI posted two photos on X of a person of interest in black sunglasses, a baseball cap, long-sleeved black shirt with an American flag, and jeans, captured in a stairwell, urging tips at 1-800-CALL-FBI or fbi.gov/utahvalleyshooting. Bohls confirmed a “high volume of digital leads” and no ongoing community threat. UVU canceled classes until September 15, with a vigil drawing 5,000 on September 10.
Context: Utah’s Campus Gun Law and Trump’s Challenges
The shooting spotlighted Utah’s HB 128, effective May 7, 2025, allowing open carry on campuses for those 18+ with a concealed weapon permit. Critics like Sen. Luz Escamilla (D-Salt Lake City) called for repeal, citing risks. Kirk’s event lacked metal detectors, per attendee Zachary Morris to The New York Times.
The incident ties to Trump’s challenges: Epstein files released September 8, a weak August jobs report, health rumors, September 6 “Department of WAR” Chicago post, and court losses on tariffs and deportations. GOP rifts over Epstein, led by Reps. Greene and Massie, risk midterm losses. The September 9 Code Pink protest at Trump’s D.C. dinner shows rising tensions, per The Daily Beast.
The FBI’s manhunt continues, with video evidence and forensic leads. Kirk’s death could galvanize conservatives, per Vance, while Democrats urge calm. As 2026 midterms approach, the assassination may reshape political rhetoric, with HB 128 facing review.
TO MY GREAT FELLOW AMERICANS… pic.twitter.com/oRsrE5TTHr
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 11, 2025
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