President Donald Trump posted a 4-minute video to social media addressing the death of right-wing activist and Chicago-area native Charlie Kirk who was shot while presenting at Utah Valley University Wednesday.
“I am filled with grief and anger at the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk,” Trump said in the video posted to Truth Social and Instagram. “Charlie inspired millions and tonight all who knew him and loved him are united in shock and horror.”
Trump called Kirk a “martyr for truth and freedom” in the video, later saying “this is a dark moment for America.”
Captioned with the words “TO MY GREAT FELLOW AMERICANS,” the video is Trump’s third social media post about the deadly shooting that occurred late Wednesday morning.
“His mission was to bring people into the political process, which he did better than anybody ever,” Trump said. “Violence and murder are the tragic consequence of demonizing those with whom you disagree day after day, year after year, in the most hateful and despicable way possible.”
Calling Kirk “the best of America,” Trump asked people to “commit themselves to the American values for which Charlie Kirk lived and died: the values of free speech, citizenship, the rule of law, and the patriotic devotion and love of God.”
“The monster who attacked him was attacking our whole country,” Trump said in the video.
In a message on Truth Social around 3:40 p.m., President Donald Trump said Kirk “is dead” following the shooting during a Turning Point USA event at the Utah school.
“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,” Trump wrote. “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!”
The post came roughly an hour after Trump called for prayers for Kirk after he was shot while presenting at Utah Valley University.
Turning Point USA, the conservative activist group Kirk founded, confirmed Kirk was shot and was hospitalized, but did not confirm his death.
“We must all pray for Charlie Kirk, who has been shot. A great guy from top to bottom. GOD BLESS HIM!” Trump said in a social media post on Truth Social.
A spokesperson for Utah Valley University said Kirk was about 20 minutes into a presentation when shots were fired from a nearby building.
Turning Point USA, the conservative activist group Kirk founded, confirmed Kirk was shot and was in the hospital, but no condition was provided.
“This is an on going situation. We can confirm that Charlie Kirk has been shot. He is in the hospital, and we are praying for him at this time,” the group said in a statement.
An alert from the school noted “a single shot was fired on campus toward a visiting speaker.”
Kirk, a suburban Chicago native and supporter of President Donald Trump, is the founder and executive director of Turning Point USA, a conservative activist group that promoted his appearance at the university for a so-called “The American Comeback Tour.” He is a graduate of Wheeling High School and previously attended Harper College.
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