Trump Family & Others Pay Tribute to the Late Charlie Kirk After He Was Shot Dead at 31
Charlie Kirk’s untimely death sends shockwaves of mourning through the Trump family and political establishment. Their remembrances follow the first announcement of his passing, in which all available information was revealed.
Charlie Kirk was a feisty conservative activist and the founder of Turning Point USA (TPUSA). He was shot at age 31 earlier this week, and his tragic death has left the political world in shock and grieving as the whole U.S. is in mourning.
In a moment of global loss that has shocked both allies and competitors, tributes are flooding in from all angles, from the Trump family’s intensely personal statements to the infrequent acknowledgements of former US Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama.
‘Legendary’ Friend: Donald Trump’s Heartfelt Tribute
U.S. President Donald Trump called Charlie “the great, and even legendary, Charlie Kirk,” saying, “No one understood or had the heart of the youth in the United States of America better than Charlie.” His heartfelt statement reflected the profound personal loss experienced by his immediate circle.
The president didn’t mince words, highlighting the two men’s close relationship. Donald began by saying, “He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me,” before addressing Charlie’s distraught wife Erika Kirk and their bereaved family, expressing his and the First Lady’s condolences. “Charlie, we love you.”
Half-Staff Flags… And Broken Hearts
In his own heartfelt online remembrance, Eric Trump mirrored his father’s words, praising Charlie as “an incredible patriot — brave, tough as hell, and a dear friend to our entire family.” Alongside the media of him and Charlie, he wrote his words.
Eric made the unusual and melancholy announcement that all Trump properties would fly flags at half-staff in remembrance of the late political activist’s legacy, which is a sign of both personal and national mourning. After that, Eric vowed to honor Charlie’s life, make him proud, and ask God to keep Erika and their children safe.
‘Silence’ Left Behind: Melania Trump Talks About It
U.S. First Lady Melania Trump sent a heartbreaking statement with her usual grace, highlighting the personal destruction that Charlie’s young family is currently experiencing. “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,” she said.
Her statements depicted a lasting absence and the emptiness that now exists in the lives of his loved ones. In addition to expressing grief, Melania Trump encouraged people to think about his life and to remember that “compassionate awareness elevates family, love, and country.”
Donald Trump Jr. denounces the murder on campus that silenced his companion.
Donald Trump Jr., like his loved ones, expressed his unadulterated sadness, calling the killing “absolutely devastating” for his family and the nation.
“This isn’t my strong suit and I don’t even know how to begin to put into words the loss I am feeling right now,” he said in his lengthy message. As a “little brother” and a “true inspiration,” he lauded Charlie’s bravery, faith, and commitment to his wife and their two kids.
Donald Jr. emphasized Charlie’s influence on youth, saying, “The impact he had on young people — reaching them in masses, giving them courage to stand up, to think for themselves, and to fight for freedom — is immeasurable.”
Donald Jr. made the startling claim that Charlie helped his father win the presidency and that “He changed the direction of this nation.” As he considered Charlie’s killing, Donald Jr. emphasized that he “was never a threat to anyone” but was targeted because “he was a powerful messenger of truth.”
When describing the shooting that shook the country, the First Son did not hold back, calling the act “brutal, heinous, evil,” and “beyond comprehension.” However, he pledged to continue Charlie’s struggle despite the tragedy.
“I will pay tribute to him by continuing his courageous spirit, telling the truth fearlessly, and loving with boldness. For all of us who loved dad, his battle endures,” Donald Jr. pledged. He wrote, “Rest in peace, brother,” as a final farewell to his sincere letter. Words cannot express how much you will be missed, yet your legacy will go on forever.
Lara Trump Provides a Heartfelt Tribute with a Picture
Eric Trump’s wife, Lara Trump, also added her voice to the family’s lamentations. She conveyed her profound sorrow over the passing of a guy whose soul, she claims, will never die in her homage.
She said it will always be with her as she considered the impact Charlie had on the globe. She included a candid snapshot of the two of them together, captured in a moment of gentle laughter before the tragedy, with her message.
“Despicable Violence”: Statements from Joe Biden and Barack Obama Following the Startling Shooting
Party lines no longer apply to the seriousness of the situation. Former US Presidents Joe and Barack are also speaking out.
“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,” Barack said in response to the nation’s horror. He went on to say that he and Michelle Obama are praying for Charlie’s family.
Joe then sent out his own urgent warning, writing, “Violent acts of this nature have no place in our nation. It has to stop right now. He said, “Jill and I are praying for Charlie Kirk’s family and loved ones.”
Charlie Kirk’s Final Legacy Is Ironic: His Resurfaced Statements on Gun Deaths
In a cruel turn of events, Charlie passed away less than two years after talking about the Second Amendment and its lethal consequences.
During a 2023 event, he stood onstage and addressed the audience, saying, “I think it’s worth to have [sic] a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the Second Amendment.” However, years later, Charlie’s death ultimately played a part in one of the “gun deaths” he said that occur each year.
Campus Chaos: Terrifying Video Documents A Last-Ditch Rescue Effort Following a Shooting
The New York Post was able to collect unsettling video footage that shows the chaos that followed the shooting at Utah Valley University’s (UVU) campus. As Charlie’s body was hurried to a black car, the crowd erupted in screams and mayhem.
As the situation spiraled into chaos, a distressed policeman could be heard yelling at the throng to remain behind. As America lost one of its most audacious voices in front of them, onlookers, many of whom were crying, crowded and fled in disbelief.
An investigation and eyewitness accounts were prompted after Charlie was shot and killed on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, while giving a speech at the university.
Charlie’s midday appearance, which was planned by the university’s student chapter of TPUSA, was when the violence broke out. A single gunshot was heard by witnesses from a nearby building, but university police emptied the courtyard and security quickly dragged the shooter away. The only one reported hurt was Charlie.
“We had a speaker, Charlie Kirk, who was invited by a student group, Turning Point USA, who was speaking on campus today at noon,” a UVU official subsequently recalled.
“At around 12:20, shots were fired from a building about 200 yards from the speaker,” the university spokesman added. As far as we know, the person was struck, and his security guards took him away right away. Our campus police have a suspect in custody, and the campus will be closed for the remainder of the day.
TPUSA verified Charlie’s condition, despite the university’s efforts to comfort the community. “This is an ongoing situation,” Aubrey Laitsch, the spokesman, stated. Charlie Kirk has been shot, and we can confirm that. We are now praying for him while he is in the hospital.
Hopes were shattered by late afternoon. In a statement to its staff and supporters, the organization revealed Charlie’s passing. It also told CNN, “It’s with a heavy heart that we, the Turning Point USA leadership team, write to notify you that early this afternoon, Charlie went to his eternal reward with Jesus Christ in Heaven.”
The investigation quickly came into focus. Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Kash Patel, announced on X shortly after Charlie’s untimely death that the individual who was first arrested in relation to the incident had been questioned and freed.
In the interest of transparency, he further underlined that the investigation is still ongoing and pledged to offer more updates.
A broader manhunt was launched because no suspect was apprehended, but an expert cautioned that it would be challenging. According to John Miller, CNN’s Chief Law Enforcement and Intelligence Analyst, the assailant most likely intended to move covertly, stay out of sight, shoot once, finish the objective, get the weapon, and leave minimal evidence.
The accuracy of the single shot also indicated that the assailant had previous weapons experience, according to the TV network’s analyst.
“This person is likely well-known to others and understood exactly what they were doing, which might be advantageous to law enforcement. This wasn’t an amateur, he said, having a long history of shooting.
The feeling of astonishment was emphasized by eyewitness reports. Standing around 15 feet away from Charlie, 45-year-old Jeremy King said he was initially perplexed and thought the gunshot might have been “part of an act or performance” connected to the conversation about gun rights and the LGBTQ+ community.
Charlie’s collapse caused Jeremy’s bewilderment to turn to panic. “Everyone fell to the ground around me. I jumped up over my wife right away. It’s impossible to predict whether this will be a one-shot incident or if it will escalate into a mass shooting. You’re scanning, then,” he remembered.
After witnessing Charlie’s bodyguards’ quick response, he continued, “At that moment, I did grab my phone and start recording as they moved him to the SUV and loaded him up.”
Donald called the incident a national tragedy in an address. “The horrific assassination of Charlie Kirk on a Utah college campus has left me feeling both sad and furious. “Tonight, everyone who knew and loved Charlie is united in shock and horror, and he inspired millions,” he said. In addition, he referred to the event as a “dark moment” in American history and referred to Charlie as a “martyr”.
As the president praised Charlie, the nation’s vice president, JD Vance, too expressed grief over Charlie’s
passing and repeated Donald’s message on X.
