Leaders and lawmakers across the political spectrum reacted with horror to the killing of Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old conservative commentator and Turning Point USA founder who was shot while speaking at an outdoor event at Utah Valley University.
US President Donald Trump called Kirk "The Great, and even Legendary," adding: "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!"
Vice President JD Vance wrote: "Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord."
Former President Joe Biden said: "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."
US Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins described the death of her "sweetest friend and fellow warrior for Christ and for America” as a tragedy that “no matter what your politics" was also a tragedy for the nation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Kirk "a lion-hearted friend of Israel," saying: "He fought the lies and stood tall for Judeo-Christian civilization. I spoke to him only two weeks ago and invited him to Israel. Sadly, that visit will not take place."
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said she was "deeply shocked" by the killing, stressing that "political violence has no place in our societies."
Donald Trump, Jr. wrote: "I love you brother. You gave so many people the courage to speak up and we will not ever be silenced."
Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters said Kirk’s death was "utterly appalling," adding: "Republicans and Democrats alike must stand united in condemning this brutality that has no place in America."
Senator Mike Lee of Utah called the shooting "a cowardly act of violence, an attack on champions of freedom like Charlie, the students who gathered for civil debate, and all Americans who peacefully strive to save our nation. The terrorists will not win. Charlie will."
US Senator Bernie Sanders also offered his condolences.
“My thoughts are with Charlie Kirk and his family,” he said on X.
Political commentators, including pro-Palestine ones, have also offered their condolences.
“I can’t process this,” conservative commentator Candace Owens said on X.
Shaun King, a pro-Palestine activist who converted to Islam in wake of Gaza genocide, called the killing “horrible.”
“The shooting of Charlie Kirk was absolutely horrible. I don’t care what his views are. You can’t walk up and shoot the people you disagree with. It’s outrageous,” King said on X.
US former presidents, Joe Biden and Barrack Obama, called for an end to political violence in the country.
“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,” Biden stated on X.
“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,” Obama said.
