Controversial political commentator Charlie Kirk was shot and killed during a speaking engagement at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah today.
The conservative media figure was just 31 years old.
Kirk was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was initially reported to be in critical but stable condition.
Less than an hour later, however, his death was announced by President Donald Trump:
“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,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
“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!”
Trump was the first of many politicians, celebrities, and other public figures to pay tribute to Kirk.
“We don’t yet know what motivated the person who shot and killed Charlie Kirk, but this kind of despicable violence has no place in our democracy. Michelle and I will be praying for Charlie’s family tonight, especially his wife Erika and their two young children,” former president Barack Obama tweeted moments ago.
“Charlie Kirk was an incredible patriot — brave, tough as hell, and a dear friend to our entire family. In his honor, all @Trump properties will fly their flags at half-staff. We will always celebrate his life, strive to make him proud, and pray that God watches over Erika and their precious kids,” Eric Trump wrote on his social media pages.
“Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,” Vice President JD Vance chimed in.
“Charlie Kirk got shot for telling the truth. That is literally it. What a mentally sick time we are living through We need god more than ever,” boxer and influencer Jake Paul chimed in, adding:
“Praying for Charlie’s family and praying for these evil people to heal.”
“RIP Charlie Kirk. It doesn’t matter what your opinion is of Charlie or his politics if you don’t view this as one of the darkest days in American history than you are part of the problem,” sports media mogul Dave Portnoy wrote.
Kirk was a provocateur who courted controversy throughout his career and often used rhetoric that many would describe as hate speech.
But hopefully, Americans from both ends of the ideological spectrum can agree that what happened today was a horrific tragedy, and the political violence in this country needs to come to an end.
Our thoughts go out to Charlie Kirk’s loved ones during this enormously difficult time.