WASHINGTON—Political leaders throughout the US condemned the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, who was killed at Utah Valley College on Sept. 10.
Kirk, founding father of conservative youth group Turning Level USA (TPUSA) and a frequent speaker at college campuses, was shot within the neck whereas talking outdoor to a crowd of college college students. He was rushed off the stage to a hospital by police and his private safety, the place he later died of his accidents.
Kirk’s loss of life was confirmed by a press release from his group. “Charles James Kirk has been murdered by gunshot,” wrote TPUSA in a press release. “May he be received into the loving arms of our Savior, who suffered and died for Charlie,” they added, referring to Jesus Christ and Kirk’s Christian religion, which he publicly professed.
Shortly after the information of his capturing, and later of his loss of life, high-ranking politicians and commentators from each political events issued expressions of condolence and condemnations of the incident, in addition to of political violence generally.
“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,” introduced President Donald Trump on social media. “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!” he added. Trump himself survived two assassination makes an attempt in the course of the 2024 election.
Vice President JD Vance wrote in response to Trump’s assertion: “Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.”
US Presidents, British PMs, Netanyahu Problem Statements
All residing former U.S. presidents, in addition to a number of international leaders, chimed in to supply their condolences and condemnation.
“I’m saddened and angered by Charlie Kirk’s murder,” wrote former President Invoice Clinton. “I hope all of us undergo some critical introspection and redouble our efforts to have interaction in debate passionately, but peacefully.
“Hillary and I are keeping Erika, their two young children, and their family in our prayers,” wrote the forty second U.S. President, who was in workplace on the time of Kirk’s delivery on Oct. 14, 1993.
“Today, a young man was murdered in cold blood while expressing his political views. It happened on a college campus, where the open exchange of opposing ideas should be sacrosanct,” wrote former President George W. Bush in a press release launched by The Bush Presidential Middle.
“Members of other political parties are not our enemies; they are our fellow citizens. May God bless Charlie Kirk and his family, and may God guide America toward civility,” Bush mentioned.
“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,” wrote former President Barack Obama on social media platform Threads.
Former President Joe Biden wrote on X: “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.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote on X that Kirk “was murdered for speaking truth and defending freedom.”
“A lion-hearted good friend of Israel, he fought the lies and stood tall for Judeo-Christian civilization.
“I spoke to him only two weeks ago and invited him to Israel,” Netanyahu added. “Sadly, that visit will not take place. We lost an incredible human being. His boundless pride in America and his valiant belief in free speech will leave a lasting impact. Rest in peace, Charlie Kirk.”
No less than two UK Prime Ministers additionally publicly commented on the homicide.
“My thoughts this evening are with the loved ones of Charlie Kirk. It is heartbreaking that a young family has been robbed of a father and a husband,” wrote incumbent Prime Minister Keir Starmer on X. “We must all be free to debate openly and freely without fear—there can be no justification for political violence.”
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson wrote on X: “The homicide of Charlie Kirk is a tragedy, and an indication of the utter desperation and cowardice of those that couldn’t defeat him in argument.
“He has been killed for saying things that used to be simple common sense,” Johnson mentioned. “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.”
US Officers Condemn Killing
The leaders’ tributes and condemnation of the assault have been amongst a whole lot of messages, together with from members of Congress and administration officers.
“We ask everyone to pray for him and his family,” mentioned Home Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on the U.S. Capitol, shortly earlier than main the U.S. Home of Representatives in a second of silence. “This is detestable what’s happened. Political violence has become all too common in American society, and this is not who we are. It violates the core principles of our country.”
“There is no place in our country for political violence. Period, full stop. Please join me in praying for Charlie Kirk,” wrote Senate Majority Chief John Thune (R-S.D.).
“Rest in Peace, Charlie Kirk. Casey and I are praying for his family. Charlie was a warrior for liberty, and his murder is a tragedy for our nation,” wrote Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.).
“Once again, a bullet has silenced the most eloquent truth teller of an era,” wrote Well being and Human Providers Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., whose father—Democratic presidential candidate and U.S. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy (D-N.Y.)—was assassinated in 1968, and whose uncle, President John F. Kennedy, was assassinated on Nov. 22, 1963.
Democrats Denounce Political and Gun Violence
Many Democrats and progressive political commentators additionally expressed dismay.
“The attack on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, vile, and reprehensible. In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form,” wrote California Gov. Gavin Newsom on X. Newsom made headlines earlier this yr when he invited Kirk to be the inaugural visitor on his podcast, “This is Gavin Newsom,” the place they mentioned political variations between Democrats and Republicans.
“The scourge of gun violence and political violence must end. The shooting of Charlie Kirk is the latest incident of this chaos and it must stop. We cannot go down this road,” wrote U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) on X.
Former Home Speaker and Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), whose husband Paul was attacked of their San Francisco dwelling in 2022, wrote on X: “The horrific shooting today at Utah Valley University is reprehensible. Political violence has absolutely no place in our nation.”
Former Vice President Kamala Harris wrote on X that she was “deeply disturbed by the shooting in Utah.”
“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,” she mentioned.
New York State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani (D-Astoria), the Democratic nominee and present polling chief within the 2025 New York Metropolis mayoral election, wrote on X: “I’m horrified by the shooting of Charlie Kirk at a college event in Utah. Political violence has no place in our country.”
Mehdi Hasan, a British-American progressive commentator who has usually criticized Kirk’s positions on varied points, wrote on X: “Horrific news out of Utah … Political violence, and gun violence, is never acceptable, excusable, or justifiable.”
Even earlier than the information of his loss of life, many well-wishers expressed the gravity of the scenario, noting that the shot hit a susceptible a part of Kirk’s physique.
“The shot looked real bad, but I sure hope Charlie makes it somehow,” wrote Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, who can be the chief chairman of X.
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