President Donald Trump on Wednesday mourned the death of longtime ally Charlie Kirk after the conservative activist was shot at a campus event in Utah.
“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,” Trump posted 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!”
Later Wednesday, the president issued a proclamation “Honoring the Memory of Charlie Kirk,” which orders that flags are flown at half staff until sunset on Sept. 14.
Kirk was shot Wednesday afternoon at one of his signature campus events at Utah Valley University in Orem. The president and top officials quickly responded to the shooting, urging Americans to pray for Kirk and promising law enforcement would respond quickly.
“We must all pray for Charlie Kirk, who has been shot,” Trump said on Truth Social soon after news of the shooting. “A great guy from top to bottom. GOD BLESS HIM!”
Kirk, a popular voice among Gen Z conservatives, helped Trump and Vance pull young voters into the MAGA movement. Kirk hosted a rally for Trump in the battleground state of Georgia last year. Vance also previously joined Kirk at a Turning Point USA event in Arizona.
“Say a prayer for Charlie Kirk, a genuinely good guy and a young father,” JD Vance wrote on X after the shooting.
Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel said personnel would be on the scene to assist with the response and investigation.
“We are closely monitoring reports of the tragic shooting involving Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University,” Patel wrote. “Our thoughts are with Charlie, his loved ones, and everyone affected. Agents will be on the scene quickly and the FBI stands in full support of the ongoing response and investigation.”
This article has been updated with additional comment from President Donald Trump.
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