Trump urges prayers for Charlie Kirk

By Alex Gangitano

The Hill

President Trump called for prayers for conservative activist Charlie Kirk after the co-founder of Turning Point USA appeared to be struck by a gunshot on Wednesday while appearing at an event at Utah Valley University.

“We must all pray for Charlie Kirk, who has been shot. A great guy from top to bottom. GOD BLESS HIM!” Trump said on Truth Social.

Kirk’s condition was not immediately clear. Videos circulating appeared to show he was speaking to a crowd before being struck in the neck.

The president later told New York Post reporter Diana Nerozzi in a phone call, “He’s not doing well.”

“It looks very bad,” the president said about how Kirk was doing.

On how he was feeling, Trump replied “not good” and added about Kirk: “He was a very, very good friend of mine and he was a tremendous person.”

“Please pray,” press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on X, sharing Trump’s post.

Vice President Vance also weighed in, posting on X, “Say a prayer for Charlie Kirk, a genuinely good guy and a young father.”

The Utah Valley University Police confirmed to The Hill that shots had been fired. The FBI said they were monitoring the situation.

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

Kirk is an influential voice in the MAGA movement and is a prominent ally of Trump.

Trump was bloodied in an assassination attempt last July at a Butler, Pa., campaign rally in a shocking moment that rocked the political world. A bullet clipped his ear, and he raised his fist, with blood streaking down his face in what quickly became a campaign-defining image.

Other lawmakers posted about Kirk, including Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who said, “This is a sick and despicable attack. I am praying for Charlie Kirk and his family. Please join me.”

Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom (Calif.) called the attack on Kirk “disgusting, vile, and reprehensible.”

“In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form,” the governor said.