Trump says conservative influencer Charlie Kirk is dead

Charlie Kirk was shot on Wednesday in Utah, according to the university where he was speaking.
The university confirmed that a suspect was not in custody.
President Donald Trump said Kirk died on Truth Social, though local authorities have not yet confirmed.

Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist who co-founded Turning Point USA, was shot at an event in Utah on Wednesday. Hours later, President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post that Kirk had died following the shooting.

Local officials have not confirmed that Kirk is dead.

"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," Trump wrote.

Videos circulating online showed Kirk recoiling hard following a gunshot at an event at Utah Valley University in Orem.

In a post on X, the school confirmed the shooting. A spokesperson for Utah Valley University said Wednesday afternoon that there was no suspect in custody.

"It is currently an active investigation. We don't believe that the suspect is currently on campus as security cameras have shown the suspect leaving campus," she told Business Insider.

The university had previously wrote on X that a suspect was in custody, but the spokesperson said that person had been released.

The 31-year-old activist founded Turning Point USA in 2012, when he was 18 years old. The organization is geared primarily toward promoting conservatism among young people in high schools and universities. It reported $85 million in revenue in 2024.

Over time, it's become an increasingly important part of the conservative movement and the Republican Party, including by hosting large conferences such as "AmericaFest," which draw thousands of attendees along with conservative politicians and influencers hoping to speak to a younger conservative audience.

Kirk was scheduled to be at Utah Valley University as part of an "American Comeback Tour," according to Turning Point USA's website.

On Wednesday, Kirk was hosting a "Prove Me Wrong Table," a format where attendees can debate him on political topics.

FBI Director Kash Patel said that the bureau was "closely monitoring reports" of the shooting. "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 and investigation," Patel said.

Elon Musk said on X that the "shot looked real bad, but I sure hope Charlie makes it somehow."

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.