Right-Wing Trump Ally Charlie Kirk Shot Dead At US University

Right-Wing Youth Activist And Trump Ally Charlie Kirk Shot Dead In Suspected Political Assassination At US University

Charlie Kirk, a prominent right-wing activist, influencer, and close ally of former President Donald Trump, was shot dead Wednesday in what authorities described as a “political assassination,” heightening fears of escalating violence in a deeply divided United States.

Trump confirmed Kirk’s death on Truth Social, writing: “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead.” The 31-year-old was struck by a single bullet while speaking at Utah Valley University. Video footage showed him addressing the crowd before collapsing as panic erupted.

Investigators believe the shot was fired from a rooftop by an assailant dressed in black. FBI Director Kash Patel later announced that a suspect was in custody.

Underscoring Kirk’s influence in Republican politics, Trump ordered flags on federal buildings to be flown at half-staff until Sunday, praising him as someone who “understood the Heart of the Youth in the United States.”

Utah Governor Spencer Cox condemned the killing as a “political assassination” and urged Americans to reflect on the nation’s future as it nears the 250th anniversary of its founding.

Eyewitness Jason Chaffetz, a former Utah congressman, said the shooting occurred while Kirk was answering audience questions, calling the incident chaotic and terrifying.

Kirk rose to prominence as the founder of Turning Point USA in 2012, shaping conservative youth politics and boosting Trump’s support among young voters. His outspoken stances on immigration, Christianity, gun rights, and campus debates made him a polarizing figure—celebrated on the right, fiercely opposed on the left.

Reactions poured in across the political spectrum. Vice President JD Vance, right-wing commentator Tomi Lahren, and Trump Jr. mourned Kirk’s death, while Democrats including Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, and Gavin Newsom condemned the attack as an unacceptable act of political violence. Former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, herself a survivor of an assassination attempt, called it a horrifying reminder of the dangers of extremism.