Trump blames 'radical left' for Charlie Kirk's death: 'Dark moment for America'

President Donald Trump has shared a video statement after conservative activist and popular influencer Charlie Kirk, 31, was fatally shot.

President Donald Trump has shared a video statement after conservative activist and popular influencer Charlie Kirk, 31, was fatally shot on Wednesday, September 10, during an appearance at a campus event in Utah. The shooting happened around 12:20 pm local time during a student Q&A at UVU in Orem, per a statement from Utah Valley University (UVU).

Trump blames 'radical left' for murder of Charlie Kirk, says will punish each one (Photo by JOSH EDELSON / AFP) (AFP)

Follow latest updates on Charlie Kirk's death here

In a video statement shared on Truth Social, Trump said he is “filled with grief and anger at the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk.” He also blamed the “radical left” for Kirk's murder, accusing them of comparing people like Kirk to "Nazis and the world's worst mass murderers and criminals."

‘He fought for liberty, democracy, justice’

“All who knew him and loved him are united in shock and horror. Charlie was a patriot who devoted his life to the cause of open debate and the country that he loved so much, the United States of America. He fought for liberty, democracy, justice, and the American people. He's a martyr for truth and freedom, and there has never been anyone who was so respected by youth,” Trump said.

“Charlie was also a man of deep, deep faith and we take comfort in the knowledge that he is now at peace with God in heaven," he added. “Our prayers are with his wife Erica, the two young beloved children, and his entire family who he loved more than anything in the world. We ask God to watch over them in this terrible hour of heartache and pain. This is a dark moment for America. Charlie Kirk traveled the nation joyfully engaging with everyone interested in good faith debate. His mission was to bring young people into the political process which he did better than anybody ever, to share his love of country and to spread the simple words of common sense on campuses nationwide.”

Trump hailed Kirk for championing “ his ideas with courage, logic, humor, and grace. He added that ”violence and murder are the tragic consequence of demonizing those with whom you disagree."

‘My administration will find each and every one of those who contributed to this atrocity’

Trump then blamed the “radical left” for Kirk’s murder. “Those on the radical left have compared wonderful Americans like Charlie to Nazis and the world's worst mass murderers and criminals. This kind of rhetoric is directly responsible for the terrorism that we're seeing in our country today, and it must stop right now,” he wrote.

The President added, “My administration will find each and every one of those who contributed to this atrocity and to other political violence, including the organizations that fund it and support it, as well as those who go after our judges, law enforcement officials, and everyone else who bring order to our country.”

Trump said that “radical left political violence has hurt too many innocent people,” citing examples such as the assassination attempt on him in Pennsylvania, attacks on ICE agents and more. “They ask all Americans to commit themselves to the American values for which Charlie Kirk lived and died, the values of free speech, citizenship, the rule of law, and the patriotic devotion and love of God. Charlie was the best of America, and the monster who attacked him was attacking our whole country. An assassin tried to silence him with a bullet, but he failed because together we will ensure that his voice, his message, and his legacy will live on for countless generations to come today.

Trump added that after the shooting, “Charlie's voice has become bigger” than ever before.

The President concluded, “May God bless his memory, may God watch over his family, and may God bless the United States of America. Thank you.”