Donald Trump’s Charlie Kirk heartbreak evaporates as his petty self-interest wins – didn’t he say the podcaster was ‘like a son to me?’

President Donald Trump was notably absent from Sunday night’s prayer vigil for slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The president spent his weekend at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, instead of attending the memorial service that drew thousands of mourners and top Republican officials.

Trump returned to the White House at 6:30 PM on Sunday, just as people were lining up at the Kennedy Center about a mile and a half away to remember Kirk. The vigil started at 6 PM, making Trump’s decision to skip the evening particularly noticeable given that 85 members of Congress and his MAGA allies made appearances.

During a Friday interview with Fox & Friends, Trump had revealed the depth of his relationship with Kirk, saying “You know, Don said to me, ‘He’s sort of like a son to you,'” quoting his son Donald Trump Jr.’s description of their bond. Trump praised Kirk’s influence over young conservatives and called him “an unbelievable talent” who “just really believed it.”

Major Republican figures attend vigil in Trump’s absence

The Kennedy Center vigil drew a capacity crowd, with prominent Trump administration officials speaking on behalf of the absent president. House Speaker Mike Johnson, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard all attended the memorial service.

Leavitt addressed the crowd at the Kennedy Center, speaking on behalf of Trump and saying the president “loved” Charlie “so much.” She told attendees that she owed her job to Kirk’s “heroic work” in turning the political tide for American youth to vote for Trump. RFK Jr. described Kirk as a “spiritual brother” and credited him with helping broker his partnership with Trump during the 2024 campaign.

Arizona State Senator Jake Hoffman, who organized the vigil, told the audience, “We know there are two special individuals in that big, beautiful White House that care about Charlie Kirk, don’t we? President Donald J. Trump and Vice President JD Vance love Charlie Kirk just like you love Charlie Kirk.” His statement was met with loud applause from the crowd.

Trump spent Saturday at the “Hope Through Education” gala at his New Jersey golf club, where he discussed Kirk’s fatal shooting and called suspect Tyler Robinson a “radicalized” individual. The 22-year-old suspect’s family background has raised questions about early assumptions regarding his political motivations.

Kirk was fatally shot Wednesday at Utah Valley University during a Turning Point USA event. The 31-year-old conservative activist and father of two was struck by a single shot from a rooftop while speaking at what was called a “Prove Me Wrong Table.” Robinson was arrested Thursday night after a 33-hour manhunt and has been charged with aggravated murder and other felonies. Utah Governor Spencer Cox’s controversial comments during the investigation have also drawn criticism.

Trump has confirmed he will attend Kirk’s official memorial service on September 21 in Arizona, though First Lady Melania Trump’s attendance remains unconfirmed. When asked about his wife’s potential attendance, Trump said, “I didn’t ask her that, but a lot of people are. We’re going to Europe, so we’re going to be doing that. I haven’t even thought of it. I’ve been thinking about other things.”