- Charlie Kirk was shot and killed at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.
- President Donald Trump ordered flags at half-staff in honor of Kirk's death.
- Politicians across the spectrum condemned the violence and expressed condolences to Kirk's family.
OREM — News that conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed while speaking at Utah Valley University Wednesday quickly spread across the nation, prompting an outpouring of sentiments from politicians across the political spectrum.
President Donald Trump confirmed the news on his social media account, saying Kirk, 31, had died after being shot in the neck while speaking under a tent in the university's courtyard.
"No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie," the president said. "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 later ordered that flags be flown half-staff until sunset on Sunday in honor of Kirk.
Two Utah Republicans, Sen. Mike Lee and Gov. Spencer Cox, said they had spoken with the president by phone shortly after Kirk's death was confirmed. Lee, who is a friend of the Turning Point USA founder and told the Deseret News he texts with Kirk "every day," called him "an American patriot" and "inspiration to countless young people to stand up and defend the timeless truths that make our country great."
"This murder was a cowardly act of violence, an attack on champions of freedom like Charlie, the students who gathered for civil debate and all Americans who peacefully strive to save our nation," Lee added on social media. "The terrorists will not win. Charlie will. Please join me in praying for his wife Erika and their children. May justice be swift."
Cox said, "Working with the FBI and Utah law enforcement, we will bring to justice the individual responsible for this tragedy. Abby and I are heartbroken. We are praying for Charlie's wife, daughter and son."
The rest of Utah's congressional delegation, all Republicans, called the killing "devastating" and "heartbreaking."
"Violence like this has no place in our society or politics," said Rep. Celeste Maloy. "Universities should be havens for debate and disagreement. Please join me in praying for the nation, for peace and for healing."
"It is with great sadness that we learn of the shooting that took place at Utah Valley University, resulting in the death of Charlie Kirk," said Doug Anderson, a spokesman for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. "Our prayers go out to his family at this time. We condemn violence and lawless behavior. We also pray that we may treat one another with greater kindness, compassion and goodness. For members of the church, we reaffirm the Savior's teaching and admonition is to love our neighbor."
Utah State University President Alan Smith posted about the incident on X. Kirk was scheduled to speak at the northern Utah university on Sept. 30 as part of his American Comeback Tour hosted by Turning Point USA.
"USU condemns the tragic shooting of Charlie Kirk on the Utah Valley University campus today. Campuses must be places where free expression can occur safely. Our thoughts are with Charlie Kirk's family and loved ones and our colleagues at UVU," Smith said.
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, led the chamber in a moment of prayer on the House floor Wednesday afternoon. Democrats and Republicans alike reacted with horror on social media.
"There is no place in our country for this kind of violence," said former President Joe Biden. "It must end now. Jill and I are praying for Charlie Kirk's family and loved ones."
"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," added former President Barack Obama. "Michelle and I will be praying for Charlie's family tonight, especially his wife Erika and their two young children."
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he is "heartbroken and outraged by the assassination of Charlie Kirk. He was an incredible husband and father and a great American. May he rest in eternal peace with our Lord."
"Heidi and I are devastated and heartbroken," said Texas GOP Sen. Ted Cruz, calling the murder "an act of unspeakable evil."
"Charlie was courageous, brilliant, compassionate and powerfully honest," Cruz continued. "He was a strong Christian who boldly proclaimed the Gospel. Charlie loved our country deeply and we will forever remember him and honor his legacy."
New York Times columnist Ezra Klein listed several recent incidents of political violence targeted toward members of both political parties — including two attempts on Trump's life last year and the killing of a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband earlier this year — and warned that "political violence is contagious."
"It is spreading. It is not confined to one side or belief system. It should terrify us all," he said. "The foundation of a free society is the ability to participate in it without fear of violence. Political violence is always an attack against us all. You have to be so blind not to see that."
Minnesota state Sen. John Hoffman was hospitalized in June after being targeted in the same attacks that killed one of his colleagues. His family issued a statement Wednesday calling America "broken" and saying "political violence endangers our lives and democracy."
"The assassination of Charlie Kirk today is only the latest act that our country cannot continue to accept," the family said. "Our leaders of both parties must not only tone down their own rhetoric, but they must begin to call out extreme, aggressive and violent dialogue that foments these attacks on our republic and freedom. We also call on leaders of both parties to take immediate action to prevent gun violence. Our prayers are with the Kirk family, our state and our country."
