Trump honors Kirk as ‘martyr for freedom’
US President Donald Trump has called slain conservative podcaster and activist Charlie Kirk one of the “giants of our generation,” honoring his influence and legacy in remarks following Kirk’s memorial service.
Kirk, who co-founded conservative action group Turning Point USA at just 18 years old, was killed by a sniper on September 10 as he was speaking to students at a college in Utah.
Speaking at the memorial service in Glendale, Arizona, Trump said the country has lost “one of the brightest lights of our times.”
Kirk was “heinously murdered by a radicalized, cold-blooded monster for speaking the truth that was in his heart... He was violently killed because he spoke for freedom and justice, for God, country, for reason, and for common sense,” the president said.
“He is a martyr for American freedom,” he added. “None of us will ever forget Charlie Kirk, and neither will history.”
President Trump: Our greatest evangelist, Charlie Kirk, became immortal — “He’s a martyr now for American Freedom”https://t.co/pzthJPwX8bhttps://t.co/A0FJU04B2npic.twitter.com/g0LpysbBtS
— MJTruthUltra (@MJTruthUltra) September 21, 2025
Kirk gained prominence by touring college campuses and debating students. His clashes with left-wing opponents frequently went viral on social media. He met with Trump several times and was widely credited with energizing young conservative voters, playing a role in helping Trump secure a second term in office in 2024.
Utah resident Tyler Robinson has been charged with Kirk’s murder. According to the prosecution, Robinson held left-wing and pro-LGBTQ views and confessed to the crime in text messages to his transgender partner.
