Washington, D.C. – President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters at the White House on Thursday, urged conservatives to “be brave” and declared, “We have to beat the hell out of radical left lunatics” following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University (UVU) on September 10.
Kirk, 31, a Turning Point USA co-founder and Trump ally, was fatally shot in the neck during a campus event, sparking a firestorm of politicization. Republicans, including Rep. Nancy Mace, blamed the “radical left,” despite no motive established for the suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, arrested late September 11 after confessing to his MAGA-supporting father.
Trump later urged non-violence, citing Kirk’s advocacy, while ordering flags at half-staff until Sunday. The killing has fueled intense rhetoric, with figures like Stephen King and a pulled South Park episode adding to the controversy, as the FBI continues investigating.
Trump’s Statements and Political Fallout
On September 11, Trump told reporters outside the White House, “We have to be brave in life, in all fairness, we have a life… We have radical-left lunatics out there and we just have to beat the hell out of them.”
Later, at a Mar-a-Lago event, he clarified, “He [Kirk] was an advocate of non-violence. That’s the way I’d like to see people respond.” In a September 10 Oval Office address, Trump blamed “radical left” rhetoric for “terrorism,” claiming, “They 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.”
He awarded Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously on September 11.
The House floor erupted on September 10 when Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) requested a prayer for Kirk, met with Democratic objections citing the July murders of Minnesota DFL House Minority Leader Melissa Hortman and her husband, for which flags weren’t lowered.
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) posted on X, “Democrats need to own this killing—Charlie was targeted for his beliefs.” Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) countered, asking if Republicans “own” Hortman’s death.
The Assassination and Suspect Details
Kirk was shot at 12:20 p.m. MDT on September 10 during a TPUSA event at UVU’s Sorensen Student Center, attended by 3,000 students. CCTV footage released September 11 shows a figure running across the roof, while FBI photos depict a person of interest in a black T-shirt and Converse shoes, later identified as Tyler Robinson.
Robinson, from a MAGA-supporting family, was arrested in Washington County, Utah, after confessing to his father, Matt, who alerted authorities via a family friend.
Robinson’s grandmother, Debbie, told Daily Mail, “My son, his dad, is a Republican for Trump. Most of my family members are Republican.” Tyler, a nonpartisan voter, had “become more political” and disliked Kirk, per Cox.
Discord messages from his roommate detailed bullet engravings, not planned on the platform, per Discord’s Jud Hoffman.
Comedy Central pulled a South Park episode, “Got a Nut,” aired August 2025, mocking Kirk with Eric Cartman adopting his style.
Stephen King’s X post, “He advocated stoning gays to death. Just sayin’,” drew backlash from Kirk supporters like @MagaStrong2026: “King’s disgusting—Charlie was murdered for free speech.” Critics like @BlueWave2026 posted, “King’s point stands—Kirk’s rhetoric was extreme.”
Online rumors falsely linked the killing to students Kirk debated or Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, who called the latter “insane” and “stupid,” per Times of Israel. On X, #CharlieKirkKiller trended with 1 million posts, amplifying conspiracy theories.
NEW: Trump says “We have to be brave” and “We have radical left lunatics out there and we just have to beat the hell out of them,” in response to a question from @brianglenntv about other conservatives being targeted.
Here is the full exchange: pic.twitter.com/KhBfGQO94K
— Sophia Cai (@SophiaCai99) September 11, 2025
Why It Matters
Utah’s HB 128, allowing open carry on campuses since May 2025, faces scrutiny, with Sen. Luz Escamilla pushing repeal. Kirk’s wife, Erika, vowed on Thursday to continue TPUSA’s mission. The EU Parliament rejected a minute of silence, sparking protests.
HOTTEST STORIES NOW
- Charlie Kirk Alleged Killer’s Grandma Drops Bombshell: Family Is All MAGA
- Republicans in Utah passed a law allowing guns on college campuses, and Charlie Kirk was fatally shot at one of those campuses
- Trump Calls Charlie Kirk a ‘Martyr’ While Blaming His Death on the ‘Radical Left’ in a Fiery Oval Office Address
Trump’s challenges—Epstein files, August jobs report, health rumors, September 6 Chicago post, court losses—compound the crisis. GOP rifts over Epstein risk 2026 midterms, per WSJ.
Robinson’s trial could fuel debates on political violence. Trump’s rhetoric and Kirk’s martyrdom may rally conservatives, while Democrats urge de-escalation. The South Park pull and King’s comments highlight cultural divides, with campus free speech probes ongoing.
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