The fatal shooting of Turning Point USA leader Charlie Kirk drew strong condemnation from the conservative activist’s allies and rivals alike.
President Trump broke the news that the 31-year-old organizer succumbed to a gunshot wound shortly after 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
He then ordered all American flags be lowered to half-staff until Sunday evening in honor of the “truly great American patriot,” who spent years helping build support for Trump among young voters.
Former President Barack Obama denounced the shooting too and sent prayers to Kirk’s family.
“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,” the 44th president said.
Vice President JD Vance posted a photo of himself standing alongside Kirk and Donald Trump Jr.
“Say a prayer for Charlie Kirk, a genuinely good guy and a young father,” Vance asked of his supporters before learning Kirk had not survived the shooting.
Vance later reposted the president’s statement on Kirk’s death, writing, “Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.”
Former Vice President Kamala Harris said she was “deeply disturbed” by Kirk’s violent death.
“Let me be clear: Political violence has no place in America,” she wrote on social media. “I condemn this act, and we all must work together to ensure this does not lead to more violence.”
Right-wing pundit Nick Fuentes sometimes found himself at odds with Kirk when it came to issues like international affairs, but he was sickened by Wednesday’s assassination.
“This feels like a nightmare. One of the most horrific things I’ve ever seen,” Fuentes posted on X. “I feel absolutely gutted and devastated.”
Fuentes called for an end to political violence and prayed for his fellow activist before news of his death had been confirmed.
MAGA influencer Laura Loomer said she was “heartbroken” by Kirk’s killing.
“Today is a terrible day for our country,” she posted.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom similarly condemned the shooting, which came amid a rise in political violence across the United States.
“The attack on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, vile, and reprehensible. In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form,” the Democrat wrote on social media.
In March, Newsom kicked off the first episode of his “This Is Gavin Newsom” podcast by interviewing Kirk. Though the Democratic heavyweight split with Kirk on numerous political issues, he congratulated his guest for “making a damn dent” in U.S. culture.
Liberal social media figure Brian Krassenstein wrote that he disagreed with almost everything Kirk represented ideologically, but said he hoped the violence against him wouldn’t be politicized.
“99.999% of Democrats are against this behavior,” he said in a follow-up post on X.
Longtime pundit Geraldo Rivera called Kirk’s murder an “awful, anti-American act” unlikely to achieve whatever the shooter’s goal may have been.
Fox News contributor Tomi Lahren expressed appreciation for being allowed to speak at Kirk’s Turning Point USA rallies.
“Charlie Kirk did so much for the conservative movement. He supported a lot of us when few knew or cared who we were,” she said.
Originally Published: September 10, 2025 at 4:59 PM EDT
