News Update
Charlie Kirk, a close ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, who was shot during an event in Utah on Wednesday, has died.
Trump confirmed this in a post on Truth Social, saying, “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 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!”
Earlier, Brigham Tomco, a politics reporter for Deseret News, cited Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz confirming that Kirk had died.
“Utah Speaker Mike Schultz confirms Charlie Kirk is dead,” Tomco posted on X.
However, a review of statements from Mike Schultz indicates that he only confirmed the shooting incident and did not announce Kirk’s death.
“Violence is unacceptable. It has no place in our state, our nation, or our politics—ever,” he said in a post on his X account.
“No disagreement, no matter how deep, justifies an attack like this. What happened is wrong, it is dangerous, and it cannot be tolerated.”
Kirk was attending a university program hosted by Turning Point USA, the conservative youth organisation he founded, when he was shot on Wednesday.
Kirk, a prominent MAGA influencer and campaign strategist, solidified his role as one of the movement’s most influential figures in 2024. His organisation played a major role in mobilising grassroots support for Trump during the election, significantly boosting voter turnout.