The shocking assassination of conservative leader Charlie Kirk, 31, continues to rattle the nation, and now former President Donald Trump has offered a deeply personal tribute, saying Kirk “could have been president one day.”
Trump’s Heartfelt Reaction
According to CNBC anchor Joe Kernen, Trump phoned him on Thursday to congratulate the network on Squawk Box’s 30th anniversary. But the celebration quickly turned somber as the former president shifted to Kirk’s death.
“He’s devastated about Charlie Kirk and said, what a guy, what a great individual. He said Charlie was a huge help during the last election and believed he could have been president someday,” Kernen shared. “He was so talented.”
Trump himself first broke the news of Kirk’s passing, posting on Truth Social:
“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. 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!”
Vigils, Tributes, and Grief
From prayer gatherings to candlelight vigils, Kirk’s supporters have been mourning both online and in cities across the country. Utah Governor Spencer Cox called the killing a “watershed moment in American history,” while Trump ordered all U.S. flags to fly at half-staff until Sunday evening in Kirk’s honor.
These solemn gestures reflect not only Kirk’s influence in conservative politics, but also the deep connection he forged with young activists nationwide.
A Vice Presidential Farewell
Vice President JD Vance personally accompanied Kirk’s casket aboard Air Force Two from Salt Lake City to Phoenix, where family and supporters gathered to receive him. Vance, joined by his wife Usha, walked alongside Kirk’s widow Erika as service members carried the flag-draped coffin down the aircraft steps.
The moment underscored Kirk’s stature — not only as a grassroots leader but also as a figure respected at the highest levels of government.
Suspect in Custody
Authorities identified the suspect as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson of Utah, who was arrested Thursday night after a statewide manhunt. Investigators say Robinson confessed to his father before surrendering with the help of a youth minister.
Governor Cox disclosed that engraved bullet casings were found at the scene, one inscribed with the words “Hey Fascists, Catch!” alongside video game symbols. Robinson’s roommate also turned over Discord chats in which the suspect discussed hiding the rifle, its scope, and the messages etched into the ammunition.
The high-powered bolt-action rifle used in the attack was later recovered in a wooded area near Utah Valley University.
A Rising Star Gone Too Soon
For Trump, Kirk’s death was more than a political loss. “He was such a talented guy,” the former president said. “The country will heal, and we will move forward, but we lost someone who had greatness in him.”
As the investigation unfolds, tributes continue to pour in — from presidents, vice presidents, and everyday Americans. Charlie Kirk’s legacy, though tragically cut short, is being remembered as a voice that resonated powerfully across the nation.
