‘Dark moment for America’: Trump’s grief over Charlie Kirk shooting turns to rage at ‘radical left’ rhetoric

President Donald Trump’s initial shock and grief over the assassination of Charlie Kirk quickly transformed into anger on Wednesday evening, as he delivered a video address from the Oval Office blaming the “radical left” for the conservative activist’s death. The 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA was shot and killed while speaking at Utah Valley University in what Utah Governor Spencer Cox called a “political assassination.”

Kirk, a close Trump ally known for mobilizing young conservative voters, was struck in the neck by a single gunshot around 12:20 p.m. local time during his “American Comeback Tour” event. Video footage shows Kirk speaking under a white tent when the shot rang out, causing him to fall as blood gushed from his neck. He was rushed to a hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

By Wednesday evening, Trump’s shock had turned to fury. In his video address, the president declared it a “dark moment for America” and faulted the media and the “radical left” for language used to describe people like Kirk. “For years, those on the radical left have compared wonderful Americans like Charlie to Nazis and the world’s worst mass murderers and criminals,” Trump said, according to The New York Times. “This kind of rhetoric is directly responsible for the terrorism that we’re seeing in our country today.”

Trump faces ongoing political violence concerns

The shooting has reignited concerns about political violence in America, particularly given Trump’s own experiences with assassination attempts. Trump referenced his near-miss shooting at a Butler, Pennsylvania rally in 2024 during his video address. A handmade portrait now hangs in the White House showing Trump being lifted to his feet after that attack, blood streaming from his ear as he pumped his fist.

White House staff were visibly shaken by news of Kirk’s death, with some appearing to have been crying as they absorbed the news. Televisions throughout the building carried minute-to-minute coverage of the shooting and the ongoing manhunt for the killer. The president signed a proclamation lowering flags to half-staff through Sunday in Kirk’s honor.

The FBI continues searching for the shooter, who authorities say was dressed in dark clothing and fired from a rooftop approximately 200 yards away. Two people were initially detained but later released after investigators determined they had no connection to the shooting. Utah officials have launched a manhunt for the actual gunman, who remains at large.

Kirk was known for his “prove me wrong” campus debates and had gained significant influence among young Republicans through his work with Turning Point USA. The organization, which he co-founded in 2012, claims to be active on more than 3,500 college campuses. His death has prompted widespread condemnation of political violence from leaders across the political spectrum, with both Democrats and Republicans calling for unity in rejecting such attacks.