‘Dark moment for America’: Tributes flow as Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk shot dead at 31
The Israeli Prime Minister said he spoke to the prominent conservative activist two weeks ago and invited him to Israel.
Tributes are flowing for prominent conservative activist Charlie Kirk after the Turning Point USA founder was shot dead aged 31 during a campus event in Utah on Wednesday.
“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,” US President Donald Trump said in a statement shared by the White House.
“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!”
Vice President JD Vance shared Mr Trump’s post, writing, “Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.”
Turning Point USA confirmed Kirk’s death “with a heavy heart” in a post on X.
“May he be received into the merciful arms of our loving Saviour, who suffered and died for Charlie,” the group said.
“We ask that everyone keep his family and loved ones in your prayers. We ask that you please respect their privacy and dignity at this time.”
In a subsequent post, Mr Trump called for all American flags throughout the US to be flown at half must until Sunday evening “in honour of Charlie Kirk, a truly Great American Patriot”.
Kevin Rudd, Australia’s Ambassador to the US, said in a statement, “The death of Charlie Kirk today is deeply distressing. There is no space for political violence in any democracy. My thoughts, and those of all Australians, are with his family and loved ones.”
MORE: Shock fortune slain Charlie Kirk leaves behind
The suspected shooter remained at large on Wednesday evening.
FBI Director Kash Patel said a “subject” who had been taken into custody had been released after an “interrogation by law enforcement”.
“Rest in peace my friend, conservative titan Charlie Kirk,” Mr Patel posted separately on his personal X account.
“I am praying for Charlie and his family. His passion for America and fearless leadership inspired millions and his impact will live on in this movement for generations.”
Dan Bongino, FBI Deputy Director and former podcast host, also wrote on his personal account, “May God rest your heroic and patriotic soul … We will not rest.”
In a video statement on Wednesday night, Mr Trump said he was “filled with grief and anger”, describing Kirk as a “martyr” and a “patriot who devoted his life to the cause of open debate and the country he loved so much”.
“This is a dark moment for America,” he said.
“My administration will find each and every one of those who contributed to this atrocity and to other political violence, including the organisations that fund it and support it.”
First Lady Melania Trump wrote, “Charlie’s children will be raised with stories instead of memories, photographs instead of laughter, and silence where their father’s voice should have echoed. Charlie Kirk’s life should serve as a symbolic reminder that compassionate awareness elevates family, love, and country.”
“The Left is the party of murder,” tech billionaire Elon Musk wrote.
Mr Musk was responding to a post by Sequoia Capital partner Shaun Maguire.
“The Left lectured us for the last decade about the dangers of violence from the Right,” Mr Maguire wrote. “From the assassination attempts of President Trump. To Brian Thompson, the United Healthcare CEO, being murdered. Now to Charlie Kirk. The danger was actually on the Left.”
Former President Barack Obama said, “We don’t yet know what motivated the person who shot and killed Charlie Kirk, but this kind of despicable violence has no place in our democracy. Michelle and I will be praying for Charlie’s family tonight, especially his wife Erika and their two young children.”
Gavin Newsom, California’s Democratic Governor — who invited Kirk on his podcast earlier this year — condemned the shooting as “disgusting, vile, and reprehensible”.
“In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form,” he wrote.
Former President Joe Biden said, “There is no place in our country for this kind of violence. It must end now. Jill and I are praying for Charlie Kirk’s family and loved ones.”
Former Vice President Kamala Harris said she was “deeply disturbed by the shooting in Utah”.
“Doug and I send our prayers to Charlie Kirk and his family,” she wrote. “Let me be clear: Political violence has no place in America. I condemn this act, and we all must work together to ensure this does not lead to more violence.”
Not all Democrats appeared to share those sentiments.
Tense scenes erupted in the House of Representatives on Wednesday after Colorado Representative Lauren Boebert requested a moment of prayer for Kirk.
At least one person could be heard shouting “no”. “Scumbags,” wrote Chaya Raichik, who goes by the handle Libs of TikTok.
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said Kirk would be “sorely missed by so many”.
“Something happened on Capitol Hill today — it’s changed the atmosphere in the place, one of alarm, shock,” he told CNN.
“It doesn’t seem real. What we loved about Charlie was he loved to engage in debate, and he genuinely respected and genuinely loved, in a Christian manner, the people on the other side of the table. He didn’t hate anybody.”
Speaking at a press conference, Utah Republican Governor Spencer Cox said Kirk “believed in the power of free speech and debate to shape ideas”.
“I want to be very clear, that this is a political assassination,” he said.
“Charlie Kirk was first and foremost, a husband and a dad to two young children.
“He was also very much politically involved, and that’s why he was here on campus.”
Tech entrepreneur David Sacks said his friend Kirk was “the best of America”.
“A self-made man, a young husband and father, and a patriot, he was relentlessly positive about the future,” he wrote on X.
“He dedicated his life to making a difference with young people, drawing huge crowds everywhere he went. He was open to ideas and willing to debate anyone. That good-natured openness is what got him killed by an intolerant lunatic. Charlie was winning the debate, and for that, he had to be silenced, permanently. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Erika and his family.”
Key Trump adviser Stephen Miller wrote, “Our hearts are shattered. America has lost one of its greatest champions. A loving family has lost the most extraordinary husband and father. All of us must now dedicate ourselves to defeating the evil that stole Charlie from this world.”
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr wrote, “Once again, a bullet has silenced the most eloquent truth teller of an era. My dear friend Charlie Kirk was our country’s relentless and courageous crusader for free speech. We pray for Erika and the children. Charlie is already in paradise with the angels. We ask his prayers for our country.”
War Secretary Pete Hegseth shared, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Mr Hegseth later posted a video leading troops in a prayer for Kirk.
“The only assurance I can take is that I know he is with his Lord and Saviour right now,” Mr Hegseth said.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent wrote, “Rest in peace to my friend, Charlie Kirk. My heart is with his loved ones at this devastating time. This inexcusable violence belongs nowhere in a civilised society. Charlie was a brave man, a devoted husband, a loving father, and a great patriot. Please join me in praying for his family and our country.”
Daily Wire host Matt Walsh wrote on X, “I’m totally devastated. Charlie was a friend and a very good man. I always worried that it would come to this eventually. I never thought it would be Charlie. He will be dearly missed. I’m praying for his family.”
Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz called Kirk’s murder “an act of unspeakable evil”.
“Charlie was a close friend; we first met when he was just 18, and Turning Point was a nascent idea,” he said.
“Charlie was courageous, brilliant, compassionate, and powerfully honest. He was a strong Christian who boldly proclaimed the Gospel. Charlie loved our country deeply, and we will forever remember him and honour his legacy.”
Daily Wire founder Ben Shapiro said he was “utterly stunned and heartbroken and sick to my soul today”.
“We must pick up the baton where Charlie left it, fighting for the things he believed in so passionately,” he said. “And we must fight for a better America — an America where good people can speak truth and debate passionately without fear of a bullet.”
Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis said his “sadness when I heard the news has been overcome with anger”.
“This is a big wound for this nation because a republican government cannot endure if we cannot have situations where it’s safe to disagree,” he told Fox News.
“Obviously they’ve got to catch this guy and we need a very quick death penalty prosecution. We need justice for this.”
Ohio Governor candidate Vivek Ramaswamy said Kirk was “more committed to peaceful, open dialogue with those who disagreed with him than anyone I know”.
“God blessed him with immense gifts, and he used them boldly and without fear,” he said.
“He knew the risks he was taking, but he did it anyway because he loved his kids & felt a responsibility to the nation they would inhabit. I travelled the entire country with him last year, we spent 1x1 time together in Ohio two weeks ago, spoke to him again 2 days ago. He’s long warned of the rise of political violence & the growing culture of assassination, when few were willing to listen, with a clarity of vision unlike anyone I’ve known. Completely and utterly devastated.”
Mr Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner said Kirk was a “close friend and a special human being”.
“He played a significant role in helping President Trump’s 2016 campaign, building and fostering the MAGA movement,” he wrote.
“When I was in the White House, established organisations often complained that we kept doing events with Charlie, to which I would reply ‘he comes with big ideas, is easy to work with and always overdelivers’. To me, Charlie represented the best of MAGA. Firm in his beliefs, compassionate, curious, and respectful. He had huge allotments of courage, charisma, and character. The world lost a powerful force today, way before his time.”
The President’s granddaughter, Kai Trump, said she was “deeply saddened”.
“My heart goes out to his wife Erika and their two children,” she wrote. “He was a close family friend and our thoughts and prayers are with them during this tragic time. Rest in peace Charlie.”
Donald Trump Jr said Kirk was “like a little brother to me”.
“Charlie was never a threat to anyone,” he wrote.
“He was civil, he was kind, he listened and responded with respect. The only ‘threat’ he ever posed was that he was incredibly effective. He was a powerful messenger of truth, and people heard that truth. That’s what made him a target.”
William Wolfe, executive director of the Center for Baptist Leadership, wrote, “This gets even worse when you consider that Charlie Kirk — more than anyone else in America on the right or the left — built his platform making a good-faith effort to model civil political discourse and debate in the public square.
“His entire project was built on reaching across the divide and using speech, not violence, to address and resolve the issues!”
Steve Bannon, former Trump White House adviser and prominent MAGA figure, said on his Wednesday show, “We’re not going to back off an inch. If you’re going to back off then this is not for you. Charlie Kirk gave his life his country on the battlefield of political combat. And they cut him down with an assassin’s bullet.”
UK broadcaster Piers Morgan called it an “an appalling assault on free speech and democracy”. “Charlie always welcomed debate, with anyone,” he wrote. “This is disgusting, and heartbreaking. RIP Charlie”
Firebrand conservative radio host Mark Levin said “we lost an extraordinary human-being and patriot today”.
“I am not only deeply sad but angry as hell,” he wrote.
“A political assassin, a coward, murdered my friend, our friend, a national treasure. He also attacked our republic, our civil liberties, our humanity, and I am furious. President Trump was nearly murdered by an assassin. Not once but twice. Damn it! I am p***ed off!”
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Kirk’s murder was “a sign of the utter desperation and cowardice of those who could not defeat him in argument”.
“Charlie Kirk has been killed not for espousing extremist views — because he didn’t,” he said.
“He has been killed for saying things that used to be simple common sense. He has been killed because he had the courage to stand up publicly for reasonable opinions held by millions and millions of ordinary people both in the US and Britain. The world has a shining new martyr to free speech. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones.”
Prominent right-wing podcast host Tim Pool, fighting back tears, told viewers Kirk “was an absolute legend, and he was a good friend”.
“Charlie was one of the most important people in this country,” he said.
Far-right commentator Nick Fuentes wrote, “This feels like a nightmare. One of the most horrific things I’ve ever seen. I feel absolutely gutted and devastated. Pray for Charlie Kirk’s soul, his young family and for our country. The violence and hatred has to stop. Our country needs Christ now more than ever.”
Several celebrities have spoken out.
“Praying for Charlie Kirk right now, for his wife and young children, for our country,” wrote Avengers star Chris Pratt. “We need God’s grace. God help us.”
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy said, “RIP Charlie Kirk. It doesn’t matter what your opinion is of Charlie or his politics if you don’t view this as one of the darkest days in American history than you are part of the problem.”
Talk show icon Dr. Phil, looking shellshocked, told viewers, “I’m absolutely heartbroken. This is tragic. I can just imagine what his wife Erika and his two young children are dealing with. God bless you, Charlie, God bless your family.”
Cenk Uygur, co-founder of left-wing news outlet The Young Turks, said in a video, “Violence is not the answer. This is a horrific tragedy and we’re all in danger now. This is a terrible, terrible thing to do. Violence is intellectual surrender.”
World leaders have also offered their condolences.
“Charlie Kirk was murdered for speaking truth and defending freedom,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on X.
“A lion-hearted friend of Israel, he fought the lies and stood tall for Judeo-Christian civilisation.”
Netanyahu’s son Yair also said on X he had lunch with Kirk and his wife Erika in Jerusalem a few years ago.
“The Charlie I met was so young, yet wise beyond his years. I met someone deeply knowledgeable in history and geopolitics — someone who understood the importance of Israel to America, to the Christian people, and to the Christian faith,” he wrote, alongside a photo of Kirk holding an Israeli flag.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said it was “heartbreaking that a young family has been robbed of a father and a husband”.
“We must all be free to debate openly and freely without fear — there can be no justification for political violence,” he wrote.
Argentinian President Javier Milei called Kirk a “formidable disseminator of the ideas of freedom and staunch defender of the West”.
“He was the victim of an atrocious murder in the midst of a wave of left-wing political violence across the entire region,” he wrote. “The left is always, at all times and places, a violent phenomenon full of hatred. The entire world lost an incredible human being.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called it an “atrocious murder, a deep wound for democracy and for those who believe in freedom”.
Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said he was “mourning the shocking death of Charlie Kirk”.
“He championed the pursuit of open debate and intellectual freedom in places of education, and did so with great courage,” he wrote. “My prayers are for his wife and children at this dire time.”
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson said conservatives “worldwide are disturbed by this tragic announcement”.
“Personally, I’m horrified and frightened at the idea that speaking out against the left’s ideologies can lead to this,” she wrote.
“Rest in peace, Charlie. The truth can never be silenced with violence.”
New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said it was “tragic that we now live in a world that differences of opinion are met with a gun”.
“He stood for freedom of speech and especially fought for the right of others to express theirs — even if he disagreed,” he said.
“The essence of democracy is under threat around the world and we must do everything we can to protect it.”
In his final post on X, Kirk referenced the brutal murder of Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee who was stabbed in the neck on a North Carolina train last month.
“If we want things to change, it’s 100 per cent necessary to politicise the senseless murder of Iryna Zarutska because it was politics that allowed a savage monster with 14 priors to be free on the streets to kill her,” he said.
Kirk was fatally shot in the neck on Wednesday afternoon while speaking in front of hundreds of people at Utah Valley University in Orem.
Kirk was conducting a Q&A session from a pop-up tent on campus when the incident occurred, sending thousands of spectators into a panic.
The gunman reportedly fired the shot from the university’s Losee Center with a long gun around 200 feet (60 metres) away from where he was speaking, the NY Post reports, citing sources.
Kirk was rushed to hospital in a critical condition following the shooting but could not be saved.
He leaves behind wife Erika, 36, a three-year-old daughter and a one-year-old son.
Kirk founded Turning Point USA, a conservative campus organisation, in 2012.
The group, which now claims some 750,000 student activist members, has become one of the most influential conservative organisations in the US and a key pillar of Mr Trump’s MAGA youth base.
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