Donald Trump warns Charlie Kirk’s death is a ‘dark moment for America’ in new Oval Office statement
Donald Trump has issued a video message paying tribute to Charlie Kirk following his tragic death on Wednesday (10 September).
The CEO and co-founder of the conservative youth organisation Turning Point USA, has died aged 31 after being fatally shot at an event at a Utah college.
Kirk was speaking at a debate hosted by Turning Point USA at Utah Valley University when authorities said the assailant fired from a roof, with the bullet hitting him in the neck.
A manhunt has begun to find the killer and Beau Mason, the commissioner of the state Department of Public Safety, has said that the shooter targeted one person.
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Meanwhile, Utah Governor Spencer Cox called the killing a 'political assassination'.
And now, after initially announcing that Kirk had died, the US president has issued a lengthy video message where he warns that the death of the activist is a 'dark moment for America'.
Speaking in an official video, filmed from the Oval Office and shared by the White House, Trump said he is 'filled with grief and anger' by the 'heinous assassination'.
The Republican leader said: "Charlie inspired millions and tonight all who knew him and loved him are united in shock and horror.
"Charlie was a patriot who devoted his life to the cause of open debate and the country that he loved so much, the United States of America.
"He fought for liberty, democracy, justice and the American people. He's a martyr for truth and freedom and there's never been anyone who was so respected by youth.
"Charlie was also a man of deep, deep faith and we take comfort in the knowledge that he is now at peace with God in heaven."
Trump went on to say that his prayers are with Kirk's wife, Erika, their two young children, and his entire family.
He continued: "We ask God to watch over them in this terrible hour of heartache and pain. This a dark moment for America.
"Charlie Kirk travelled the nation, joyfully engaging with everyone in good faith, debate.
"His mission was to bring young people into the political process which he did better than anybody ever, to share his love of country and to spread the simple words of common sense.
"On campuses nationwide he championed his ideas with courage, logic, humour and grace."
Trump said: "It’s time for all Americans and the media to confront the fact that violence and murder are the tragic consequence of demonizing those with whom you disagree day after day, year after year in the most hateful and despicable way possible.
"For years those on the radical left have compared wonderful American's like Charlie to nazi's and the world's worst mass murderers and criminals."
He warned: "This kind of rhetoric is directly responsible for the terrorism that we're seeing in our country today. And it must stop right now.
"My administration will find each and every one of those who contributed to this atrocity and to other political violence, including the organisation that fund it and support it, as well as those who go after our judges, law enforcement, officials, and everyone else who brings order to our country."
He then went on to reference his own assassination attempt in Pennsylvania last year, the 'attacks on ICE agents' and 'the vicious murder of a healthcare executive in the streets of New York' as well as other recent events.
Trump said: "Radical left political violence has hurt too many innocent people and taken too many lives. Tonight I ask all Americans to commit themselves to the American values to which Charlie Kirk lived and died.
"The values of free speech, citizenship, the rule of law, and the patriotic devotion and love of God.
"Charlie was the best of America and the monster who attacked him was attacking our whole country. An assassin tried to silence him with a bullet but he failed because together, we will ensure that his voice and his message, his legacy, will live on for countless generations to come."
The president signed off by saying: "Today, because of this heinous act, Charlie's voice has become bigger and grander than ever before.
"And it's not even close. May God bless his memory, may God watch over his family, and may God bless the United States of America."
Topics: Crime, Donald Trump, US News, Charlie Kirk
Madison Burgess