One of the most well-known conservative podcasters in the US, Charlie Kirk, has been shot. He succumbed to his injuries, US President Donald Trump wrote. His death is likely to further divide the country.
Right-wing conservative US podcaster and activist Charlie Kirk has died. US President Donald Trump announced this on his platform Truth Social. Kirk had been shot shortly before during an event at a university in the US state of Utah and taken to a hospital. The circumstances surrounding the incident are still unclear.
Utah Valley University in Orem had previously announced that the podcaster, considered a Trump ally, had been shot on campus. A shot was fired at the guest speaker around 12:10 p.m. (local time).
There is always conflicting information regarding the manhunt for the perpetrator: At one point, FBI Director Kash Patel announced on social media that a suspect was in custody. A few minutes later, Beau Mason, Commissioner of the Utah Department of Public Safety, announced at a press conference that the suspect was still at large. About an hour after Patel made the arrest public, the FBI director wrote again: After being interviewed by law enforcement, the individual was released.
Utah officials believe the attack was a targeted attack. A shot was fired at a victim, presumably from a rooftop. Utah Governor Spencer Cox called it a"political assassination."
Trump orders flags at half-mast
Trump wrote that Kirk was great and legendary."No one understood or had a better sense of the youth of the United States of America than Charlie." He was loved and admired by "EVERYONE," including himself, Trump added."Charlie, we love you!" He expressed his condolences to Kirk's wife, Erika, and his family.
The US President ordered flags to be flown at half-staff for several days following Kirk's death."In honor of Charlie Kirk, a truly great American patriot, I am ordering all American flags in the United States to be flown at half-staff until 6 p.m. Sunday evening," Trump declared on Truth Social.
Successful conservative podcaster
The 31-year-old Kirk was considered one of the most well-known right-wing activists in the US. He had his own podcast,"The Charlie Kirk Show." He was the founder of the organization Turning Point USA, which operates in schools and universities.
Kirk's organization advocated for the dissemination of conservative viewpoints in high schools, colleges, and universities. Observers credited Kirk with playing a key role in Republican efforts to gain more support among young people in the United States.
During the presidential campaign last year, Kirk appeared for Trump at a Republican rally in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was married to podcaster Erika Frantzve, with whom he has two young children.
Democrats and Republicans condemn violence
Both Republicans and Democrats expressed condolences after Kirk's death and strongly condemned the violence. Vice President J.D. Vance wrote,"Give him eternal rest, O Lord."
Former US President Barack Obama wrote on X that the act was despicable."This kind of despicable violence has no place in our democracy." The former president and former First Lady Michelle Obama would pray for Kirk's wife and two young children.
Former President Joe Biden lamented:"There is no place for this kind of violence in our country. It must end now." He and his wife, Jill, were praying for Kirk's family. Former Vice President Kamala Harris spoke out clearly against politically motivated acts:"Political violence has no place in America," the Democrat wrote on X. She expressed her"deep shock" at the attack on Kirk.
Democratic Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi wrote:"The horrific shooting today at Utah Valley University is reprehensible. Political violence has absolutely no place in our country." Pelosi's husband was seriously injured in 2022 by a man wielding a hammer who, according to authorities, believed in conspiracy theories.
Condolences also from Governor Newsom
Even before Kirk succumbed to his injuries, California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the attack in the strongest possible terms."The attack on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, abhorrent, and reprehensible," Newsom wrote on the online service X, representing the Democratic Party."In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in any form."
The political climate in the US is considered heated. Just over a year ago, Trump himself was injured in the ear during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, and the shooter was killed by security forces. Another man is currently on trial in Florida for allegedly attempting to fire shots at Trump in September 2024 while he was golfing in West Palm Beach.
