breaking news

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). A suspect was taken into custody.

Meanwhile, several US media outlets reported that the person who fired the shot has not yet been caught. Trump wrote that Kirk was great and legendary."No one understood the youth of the United States of America better or had a better feel for them 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.

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.

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; 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.