'Charlie Kirk is dead…': Trump confirms ally's passing after Utah University shooting

Charlie Kirk was shot during an event at Utah University on Wednesday. The MAGA commentator was rushed to a hospital in critical condition.

Updated on: Sep 11, 2025, 04:08:39 IST

By Yash Nitish Bajaj

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Charlie Kirk was shot during an event at Utah University on Wednesday. The MAGA commentator, CEO and co-founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, has died, Trump confirmed.

Charlie Kirk speaks at Texas A&M University as part of Turning Point USA's American Comeback Tour (AP)

“We are confirming that he was shot and we are praying for Charlie,” said Aubrey Laitsch, public relations manager for Turning Point USA.

Videos on social media showed Kirk speaking at the event when a shot rang. The 31-year-old can then be seen reaching up with his right hand as a large volume of blood gushes from the left side of his neck.

However, President Donald Trump soon confirmed that Kirk has died. “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!”

“Dear God, protect Charlie in his darkest hour,” Vance tweeted.

“Say a prayer for Charlie Kirk, a genuinely good guy and a young father,” Vance wrote on X. “Those responsible will be held fully accountable."

FBI Director Kash Patel said, “We are closely monitoring reports of the tragic shooting involving Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.”

“Our thoughts are with Charlie, his loved ones, and everyone affected. Agents will be on the scene quickly and the FBI stands in full support of the ongoing response,” Patel added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yash Nitish Bajaj
Yash Bajaj is a Chief Content Producer with a strong foundation in US coverage, digital strategy, and audience-focused storytelling. As part of the US Desk at Hindustan Times, he covers a wide range of topics - from American politics to sports (NFL, NBA, derbies, MLB and more). Before joining Hindustan Times, Yash served as Deputy News Editor at Times Now, where he oversaw international coverage and led a team of six. In this role, he significantly expanded global traffic through strategic planning, SEO-driven content execution, and meticulous trend tracking across platforms. He is experienced in managing high-pressure breaking-news shifts, coordinating live coverage, and building newsroom systems that improve speed, accuracy, and reach. Prior to Times Now, Yash held a position at Opoyi, where he headed the Sports and US news team. He developed broad editorial strategies, guided reporters across multiple beats, and played a key role in recruiting and training new talent. His responsibilities also extended to social media management and experimenting with innovative content formats. A passionate NFL fan, Yash is a die-hard supporter of the Cincinnati Bengals and has followed Joe Burrow closely since his college days at LSU. Whether breaking down top players' latest performance, analyzing team performances, or tracking roster moves, he brings the same dedication and sharp storytelling to his sports coverage as he does to American politics and breaking news. When he’s not writing, Yash can often be found watching games or debating the latest NFL storylines with fellow fans. Yash holds a Bachelor of Mass Media (Journalism) from HR College, Mumbai University. His interests extend well beyond the newsroom: he is an enthusiastic explorer of AI tools, a movie buff with an ever-growing watchlist, and someone who enjoys unraveling conspiracy theories for fun.Read More

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