Featured Image Credit: Rebecca DROKE/AFP
Topics: Politics, US News, News, Charlie Kirk, Donald Trump
Rhianna Benson
Topics: Politics, US News, News, Charlie Kirk, Donald Trump
President Donald Trump has been criticised for his comments about the attempt made on his life last year during a commemorative service for Charlie Kirk.
For those in need of a reminder, 31-year-old Kirk was assassinated last month while hosting a college rally in Utah. Whilst answering an audience question, the Turning Point USA founder was struck by a single bullet, which penetrated his neck in view of over 3,000 onlookers.
In the weeks that followed, the FBI revealed they had arrested 22-year-old Tyler Robinson on suspicion of killing the right-wing podcaster, and he has since been charged with seven counts, including aggravated murder.
On 22 September, Kirk was honoured with a funeral at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, during which both Trump and his wife Erika gave speeches.
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And just yesterday (14 October), the politician, 79, posthumously awarded the father-of-two with the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House.
During the get-together, Kirk's wife Erica spoke to attendees, sharing a message her daughter had written for Kirk, who would have celebrated his 32nd birthday the same day. Vice President JD Vance also issued an address, followed closely by Trump himself.
"So one month after Charlie’s death, we still feel the terrible shock and the pain of his loss like just about nobody I can think of," the President began.
"Charlie Kirk was one of a kind, and he was unstoppable."
However, Trump also used the opportunity as a means of discussing the broader topic of political violence in the United States.
"We’ve watched legions of far-left radicals resort to desperate acts of violence and terror because they know that their ideas and arguments are persuading no one. They know that they're failing. They have the Devil's ideology," he continued, accusing opponents of targeting ICE agents 'and me'.
Discussing the attempted assassination attempt made against him in Butler, Pennsylvania, last year, where he sustained a minor ear injury following a rally shooting, Trump professed: "But I made a turn at a good time. I made a turn at a good time - I turned to the right."
He then claimed of Kirk: "Charlie couldn’t believe it, actually. He said, 'How the hell did you make that turn?'. I said, 'I don't know'."
Unsurprisingly, the politician's remarks haven't gone down too well with several onlookers, who have accused him of insensitivity.
"Repulsive!!!" one social media user hit out. "It was a scene for Trump to move in a certain direction to act like he was being shot at vs someone who died from a real shooter! He has no emotional intelligence!!!"
"Even if it were true, Trump saying he was lucky he moved the right way to dodge a bullet…wild!!"
"There is no event he can’t make about himself," a second noted, while another went on to add: "Trump is literally saying kirk wasn't fast enough to not get shot."
"Inappropriate insensitive and Lacking ANY of the Moral Insight and Intergrity one would expect from a World Leader?" a fourth continued.
Tyla has contacted the White House for comment.