Reactions pour in following the shooting death of Charlie Kirk

Reactions have poured in following the shooting death of American conservative influencer Charlie Kirk.

Kirk, founder of U.S. right-wing youth group Turning Point USA, was speaking to a crowd at Utah Valley University as part of his "American Comeback Tour" when he was shot in the neck from a nearby rooftop.

He died in the hospital last night. A manhunt for the shooter is ongoing, with no suspect identified.

Politicians and public figures from across the political spectrum have swiftly condemned the attack and denounced all acts of political violence.

Speaking in a video from the Oval Office, U.S. President Donald Trump said Kirk "was a patriot who devoted his life to the cause of open debate" and blamed the "radical left" for the shooting. However, the suspect and their motives have yet to be identified.

TO MY GREAT FELLOW AMERICANS… pic.twitter.com/oRsrE5TTHr

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 11, 2025

Trump, for whom Kirk was a close ally and supporter, called Kirk "Great, and even Legendary" in a post on his social media platform Truth Social.

"No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie," Trump said.

Some political commentators have credited Kirk with driving the young conservative voter turnout that helped Trump win the 2024 U.S. presidential election against Kamala Harris.

Harris said she is "deeply disturbed" by the attack in a post on X.

"Let me be clear: Political violence has no place in America," Harris said.

"I condemn this act, and we all must work together to ensure this does not lead to more violence."

I am deeply disturbed by the shooting in Utah. Doug and I send our prayers to Charlie Kirk and his family.

Let me be clear: Political violence has no place in America. I condemn this act, and we all must work together to ensure this does not lead to more violence.

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) September 10, 2025

Taoiseach Micheál Martin expressed his condolences in a post on X this morning, adding that "there is no place for the gun in politics, no justification for violence in democratic debate."

Simon Harris TD called the killing "appalling and shocking," writing on X, "Young children have lost a father and a wife has lost her husband needlessly. Such despicable acts of violence are utterly abhorrent."

Many celebrities have also shared their thoughts on the attack, including Mad Max actor Mel Gibson who said the shooting "is nothing short of evil a cowardly attack on America’s very soul."

"Faith, family, freedom, the right to speak truth trampled by violence," said Gibson, a supporter of Trump, adding, "My blood boils. Justice must be relentless and unforgiving."

Jurassic World actor Chris Pratt wrote that he is "praying" for Kirk's family and for America, adding "We need God’s grace. God help us."

Arnold Schwarzenegger, actor and former California governor, wrote of the killing, "May it also be a moment for everyone to rediscover their humanity."

My heart is with Charlie Kirk’s family, and with the United States.

Politics has become a disease in this country, and it’s deadly. But don’t listen to the pessimists who say there is no cure.

There is a cure. It is inside of us. We must find our better angels and walk back…

— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) September 10, 2025

Stephen Colbert, American comedian and host of The Late Show, prefaced last night's episode with a statement on the murder.

"I’m old enough to personally remember the political violence of the 1960s, and I hope it is obvious to everyone in America that political violence does not solve any of our political differences," Colbert said.

"Political violence only leads to more political violence. I pray with all my heart that this is the aberrant action of a madman and not a sign of things to come."

Some social media users expressed beliefs that the shooting was at some level ironic given Kirk's pro-gun stance. One X user wrote, "Charlie Kirk isn’t a martyr. He’s a casualty of the violence he incited."

"Charlie Kirk was the victim of a shooting in a country where he, along with other right-wing extremist influencers, have been inciting violence for years," said another.

Let’s make one thing clear from the start: Charlie Kirk was the victim of a shooting in a country where he, along with other right-wing extremist influencers, have been inciting violence for years. — Kirk is neither a martyr nor a hero, he is a cause.

— Andrea Junker (@Strandjunker) September 10, 2025

Others pointed out that he was killed while discussing mass shootings.

According to videos of the incident, he accused transgender Americans of being responsible for "too many" mass shootings and was then asked "Do you know how many mass shooters there have been in America over the last 10 years?" He answered, "Counting or not counting gang violence?" just as he was shot.

One X user wrote that Kirk was killed while "doing what he loved, debating race based gun violence statistics."

Charlie Kirk's last words being "counting or not counting gang violence" is hilarious. He got shot doing what he loved, debating race based gun violence statistics.

— Uncle Benzo (Reborn) (@SobrietyField) September 10, 2025

English pop star Boy George condemned those who defended the killing. Posting a photo of Kirk on Instagram, he wrote in the caption, "To see people celebrating just sickens me. What a dark day for humanity. I am so sad!"