President Donald Trump said that no one touched the hearts of American youth more than Charlie Kirk, 31, the co-founder and CEO of Turning Point USA who was shot dead Wednesday at an event in Utah.
"The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "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!"
Bystanders saw Kirk, 31, get shot near his neck during a Q&A with students at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. A video captured at the event showed Kirk bleeding heavily from an apparent gunshot wound near his neck.
In another Truth Social post, Trump wrote: "In honor of Charlie Kirk, a truly Great American Patriot, I am ordering all American Flags throughout the United States lowered to Half Mast until Sunday evening at 6 P.M."
Trump followed with an official proclamation stating that in honor of Kirk, "the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, September 14, 2025.
"I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations."
There is no suspect in custody, a law enforcement source told CNN, despite the school saying earlier police did have someone in custody. University spokesperson Scott Trotter also said in a statement that the suspect is not in custody.
Another university spokesperson, Ellen Treanor, said that Kirk was struck about 20 minutes after he began speaking on campus, according to The New York Times. She said the shooter fired from the Losee Center, a building about 200 yards away.
Cellphone video clips of the incident circulating on social media showed Kirk addressing a large outdoor crowd when a loud crack that sounded like a gunshot rang out. One video appeared to show Kirk's head jerking back as he delivered remarks while sitting under a tent with the slogan "The American Comeback" printed on it. Kirk can be seen briefly moving his hand to his neck as he falls off his chair.
Kirk posted on X minutes before the incident, the Daily Mail reported. The post appears to have been deleted. It showed photos of Kirk and the crowd.
"WE. ARE. SO. BACK," Kirk wrote at 2.23pm EDT. "Utah Valley University is FIRED UP and READY for the first stop back on the American Comeback Tour."
The event was the first of a 15-stop itinerary on what was billed as the American Comeback Tour. In recent years, Kirk has made college campus stops a centerpiece of his messaging, encouraging students and the general public to ask him questions directly in a debate-style format. At the time of the shooting, Kirk was sitting at a "Prove Me Wrong Table," where he answers questions from the crowd.
Kirk was one of the most prominent Trump supporters. He has gained millions of followers through Turning Point USA, an organization established in 2012 that advocates for conservative politics on high school and university campuses.
Michael Katz ✉
Michael Katz is a Newsmax reporter with more than 30 years of experience reporting and editing on news, culture, and politics.
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