President Trump has come under fire for the time and place he paid tribute to right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, following his shock assassination yesterday (10 Sept).
Kirk, 31, was fatally shot whilst attending a college rally on the campus of Utah Valley University (UVU), joined by 3,000 Republican fans.
The event marked the first day of his 'The American Comeback Tour', a circuit that formed part of his Turning Point USA campaign, which sees left-leaning students challenged on their views by the Christian conservative with his infamous 'change my mind' approach. Kirk would discuss vital subjects including faith, family values, trans rights, LGBTQ+ marriage, political warfare and climate change, fighting progressive arguments with his traditionalist views.
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Such was also the case yesterday, when he invited a Utah rally attendee to ask a question about gun violence.
Mid-way through giving his answer, however, Kirk was shot through the neck with a single bullet before falling to the ground in disturbing footage which has since been circulating on social media.
It was Donald Trump that first confirmed the father-of-two had died of his injuries, despite being rushed to hospital.
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"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 wrote on Truth Social.
"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!"
Today (11 Sept), the politician went on to appear at the Pentagon for a pre-arranged visit to the 9/11 memorial site, to pay tribute to those killed in Al Qaida's terror attack on the people of New York, after four American Airlines were hijacked in 2001.
Minutes into the public engagement, however, and Trump brought up Kirk's legacy - a decision that was later criticised by social media users.
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"Before we begin, let me express the horror and grief so many Americans feel at the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk," the President said, as per Politico. "Charlie was a giant of his generation, a champion of liberty and an inspiration to millions and millions of people."
Elsewhere, he added he'd 'miss' Kirk 'greatly', adding: "I have no doubt that Charlie’s voice and the courage he put into the hearts of countless people, especially young people, will live on."
Trump also revealed he'd 'soon be awarding Charlie Kirk posthumously the Presidential Medal of Freedom'.
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"The date of the ceremony will be announced and I can only guarantee you one thing," he continued.
"We will have a very big crowd. Very, very big.”
As we say, however, a number of spectators have condemned the timing of Trump's latest remarks, claiming his comments disrespected the lives of the 9/11 victims he was supposed to be honouring.
Taking to X, one disgruntled onlooker hit out: "Using the 9/11 memorial to speak about Charlie Kirk is embarrassing."
Another questioned: "Why is this happening at a 9/11 memorial?"
"This is so disrespectful to the thousands of people who lost their lives on this day 24 years ago," a third went on. "Magats should be ashamed."
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A fourth wrote: "Disrespecting those who died 24 years ago. But typical for a tone deaf old man with signs of dementia."
"This was so disrespectful for the 911 memorial! Leave him out about it," one more witness agreed.
"So inappropriate, just like everything else he does," another continued.
A seventh went on: "Hegseth mentioning Charlie Kirk in his 9/11 remarks is abhorrent. And the same with Trump. F**k all the way off."
Topics: Donald Trump, US News, News, Charlie Kirk, Politics
Rhianna Benson