Editor's Note: This story has been updated to reflect Charlie Kirk's death and the response from the White House.
Trump ally Charlie Kirk died after being shot Wednesday at an event in Utah, according to multiple news outlets including Fox News, CNN and NBC.
"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 White House tweeted, attributing the quote to President Trump.
Kirk, a prominent conservative activist and media personality, co-founded Turning Point USA in 2012, an organization promoting conservative politics on high school and college campuses. He is also a podcaster and author, including of The MAGA Doctrine and The Only Ideas That Will Win The Future.
The FBI is monitoring the situation, according to agency Director Kash Patel, who said in a post on X that agents are on the scene and that the bureau “stands in full support of the ongoing response and investigation.”
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said law enforcement is briefing him on the incident and condemned the shooting.
“Those responsible will be held fully accountable. Violence has no place in our public life. Americans of every political persuasion must unite in condemning this act. Our prayers are with Charlie, his family, and all those affected,” Cox said.
Kirk has been a leading voice in pro-Trump conservative circles. In April 2021, he spoke in Bandera, Texas, at the Ridin’ the River Cowboy Church to a crowd of more than 400 conservatives from Austin, Fredericksburg, Kerrville, San Antonio and Bandera. U.S. Representative Chip Roy opened that event.
During his Bandera appearance, Kirk spoke on conservative activism, emphasizing the need for an assertive approach to politics. He criticized what he called a “courage gap” among Republicans, encouraged conservatives to act boldly without self-censorship and called for action-based engagement to protect American values.
He framed liberty as the government not interfering with individuals’ pursuit of virtue and urged conservatives to take decisive action to shape the country’s future.
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