President Trump condemned the assassination in an Oval Office address, blaming political demonization for the surge in violence against conservatives.

In a shocking and tragic event that sent ripples across the nation, conservative activist Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot onstage during an event at Utah Valley University (UVU) in Orem, Utah, on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.

Kirk, 31, a prominent figure in the conservative movement and a vocal advocate for youth engagement in politics, was killed in front of hundreds of students during the American Comeback Tour.

President Donald Trump addressed the nation from the Oval Office, delivering a somber and emotional statement condemning the violence and framing Kirk’s death as a devastating loss for the country.

“This is a dark moment for America,” Trump declared in his four-minute address posted on his Truth Social platform. The president spoke of Kirk as a man of faith, patriotism, and dedication to free speech.

“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,” Trump said.

The shooting occurred during a Turning Point USA event held under a tent on the UVU campus, where Kirk was answering audience questions as part of a debate series known for its interactive format.

According to eyewitness accounts and statements from former Utah Congressman Jason Chaffetz, the fatal shot was fired shortly after Kirk responded to a question regarding mass shootings committed by transgender individuals.

Chaffetz described the chilling moment: “I was watching Charlie. I can’t say that I saw blood or that I saw him get hit, but I did see him fall immediately backward into his left.”

Videos circulating from the scene captured the chaos as attendees screamed and scattered in panic.

Kirk was immediately rushed offstage by his security team, but despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead shortly after. The FBI and ATF quickly descended on the scene, launching an investigation into the attack.

An unnamed suspect was briefly apprehended but later released. The authorities continue to search for the shooter, describing the suspect as a person wearing dark clothing and armed with a long rifle.

The tragedy has sparked a nationwide outpouring of grief. Kirk leaves behind his wife, Erika Frantzve, and their two young children—a three-year-old daughter and a sixteen-month-old son.

The First Lady Melania Trump expressed profound sorrow for Kirk’s family, noting on social media, “Charlie’s children will be raised with stories instead of memories, photographs instead of laughter, and silence where their father’s voice should have echoed.”

Kirk was well known for his conservative activism and was a regular presence on college campuses, promoting conservative values through Turning Point USA, an organization he helped found in 2012.

His style was direct and often controversial, but he commanded a significant following among young conservatives.

Earlier this year, he had guest-hosted “Fox & Friends Weekend,” and a touching video of Kirk embracing his young daughter during the broadcast resurfaced, offering a glimpse of his private life amid the public turmoil.

President Trump, visibly moved, called for an end to the “demonization” of political opponents, which he blamed for fostering an environment that leads to violence.

“It’s long past time for all Americans and the media to confront the fact that violence and murder are the tragic consequences of demonizing those with whom you disagree, day after day, year after year, in the most hateful and despicable way possible,” he stated.

Trump drew parallels to other high-profile attacks, including the 2017 shooting of House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and the assassination attempt on himself.

“Radical left political violence has hurt too many innocent people and taken too many lives,” Trump emphasized, urging Americans to uphold the values Kirk stood for: free speech, patriotism, and faith.

The incident has further intensified political tensions. Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the attack, calling for unity against political violence.

Progressive Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez warned of potential escalation in political chaos if such violence continues unchecked.

Meanwhile, Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a personal friend of Kirk’s, expressed heartbreak and called for an end to the hostile rhetoric.

The suspect’s identity and motive remain unclear. The FBI continues to investigate, promising to bring all responsible parties to justice.

Meanwhile, universities and political groups across the country have held vigils honoring Kirk’s memory, underscoring the deep impact he had on the conservative movement and the nation’s political discourse.

This tragedy occurred just minutes after Kirk posted an enthusiastic message on X (formerly Twitter), rallying his supporters: “WE. ARE. SO. BACK. Utah Valley University is FIRED UP and READY for the first stop back on the American Comeback Tour.”

As the nation grapples with the loss of a young, influential figure, Kirk’s death serves as a grim reminder of the escalating polarization and violence in America’s political landscape.