GOP, Democratic leaders react to Charlie Kirk shooting
Updated at 6:30 p.m. ET, Sept. 10, 2025: Utah Gov. Spencer Cox described the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk as a "political assassination" during a press briefing late Wednesday. Cox added that a person of interest is in custody, but did not confirm whether that person is the shooter.
Updated at 4:45 p.m. ET, Sept. 10, 2025: President Donald Trump confirmed on his Truth Social account that Charlie Kirk has died after being fatally shot in a targeted attack at the "The American Comeback Tour” hosted by TPUSA at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox has called it a political assassination. Kirk's death was also announced live to listeners of his radio broadcast and confirmed by Salem Media Group.
The president wrote: "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!"
The president has also ordered all U.S. flags to be lowered to half-staff starting on Sept. 14.
It is unknown at this hour whether or not the shooter has been apprehended.
Original report:
Republicans and Democrats reacted Wednesday to the shooting of conservative Christian activist Charlie Kirk, who was reportedly shot in the neck during a Turning Point USA event in Utah.
Kirk, 31, was overseeing a question-and-answer session with students at Utah Valley University in Orem on Wednesday when a shot rang out. His condition was unknown at the time. He was then reported as being alive and in critical condition at an area hospital.
An older male suspect was reportedly taken into custody at the event, but later it was revealed that he was not the shooter and was released and charged with obstructing justice. It was later reported that the shooter has not been apprehended, but a person of interest is in custody.
Kirk, who is a renowned conservative media personality who co-founded and leads Turning Point USA, frequently visits college campuses and participates in debates with liberal students.
It was reported that before he was shot, he was engaged in a dialogue about the recent prevalence of trans-identified mass shooters.
Here are reactions to Kirk’s shooting from U.S. officials on both sides of the aisle.
