Charlie Kirk was “loved and admired by ALL, especially me,” President Donald Trump said Wednesday after confirming that the conservative commentator was shot and killed during an appearance at Utah Valley University.
“No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie,” Trump said of his longtime political ally in a post on Truth Social.
“Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,” Vice President JD Vance said in a post a short time later.
Other reactions to Kirk’s death and condemnations of political violence poured in from Utah and national figures across the political spectrum after the shooting at the Orem campus.
A shaken Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, posted a video on social media, saying he had just spoken to Trump and called the shooting “horrific and senseless.”
“We don’t know all the circumstances surrounding this, but whoever did this needs to be brought to justice,” Lee said. “He was a dear friend to me. He was someone I spoke to on a regular basis. … I’m devastated, and I will miss him."
And in a statement, Lee said, “This murder was a cowardly act of violence, an attack on champions of freedom like Charlie. ... The terrorists will not win. Charlie will.”
Before the announcement of Kirk’s death, the FBI and the governor said they were closely monitoring the situation.
“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,” read a post on social media by FBI Director Kash Patel.
Governor weighs in
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Gov. Spencer Cox speaks during a news conference following the shooting death of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University in Orem on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025.
Republican Gov. Spencer Cox said Wednesday that he was being briefed by law enforcement about the shooting and had spoken with Trump.
“I just got off the phone with President Trump,” the governor posted. “Working with the FBI and Utah law enforcement, we will bring to justice the individual responsible for this tragedy. Abby and I are heartbroken. We are praying for Charlie’s wife, daughter, and son.”
Cox said in a follow-up post that he had ordered flags around the state to be flown at half-staff until sunset on Sept. 14.
Before the confirmation of Kirk’s death, Cox said on social media that “[t]hose responsible will be held fully accountable.”
“Violence has no place in our public life,” he wrote. “Americans of every political persuasion must unite in condemning this act. Our prayers with Charlie, his family, and all those affected.”
Utah Attorney General Derek Brown called Kirk “a devoted father, husband and an inspiration to a generation of young conservatives. His shooting at UVU is a terrible indictment on our politics. I am praying for his family and loved ones, and I mourn his passing.”
Utah’s congressional delegation reacts
Other members of the Utah congressional delegation expressed their condolences and local officials condemned the violence.
In a statement to The Salt Lake Tribune before the news of Kirk’s death, Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah, said he had just learned of the shooting and was praying for Kirk and grateful “for the swift response of law enforcement and first responders working to secure the campus.”
Rep. Blake Moore, a Republican who represents Utah’s 1st Congressional District, said in a statement to The Tribune that his office was tracking the “tragic shooting.”
GOP Rep. Burgess Owens, who represents the 4th Congressional District, asked on social media for prayers for Kirk’s family.
“There are no words to capture the heartbreak of this loss, the result of an evil, reprehensible act of political violence,” Owens wrote. “We’ve lost a great friend to the American cause.”
(Nic Antaya | The New York Times) Charlie Kirk speaks during the Turning Point Action conference at Huntington Place in Detroit on June 14, 2024.
Rep. Mike Kennedy, a Republican who represents the 3rd Congressional District, said in a statement after the shooting that he was devastated to learn of the attack.
“I condemn this senseless act of violence,” Kennedy said. “I am praying for Charlie and all those who were in attendance and will be impacted by this event. My team and I are in close contact with local law enforcement and will monitor the situation.”
Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, expressed similar sentiments, writing, “Violence is unacceptable. It has no place in our state, our nation, or our politics—ever. No disagreement, no matter how deep, justifies an attack like this."
He added, “What happened is wrong, it is dangerous, and it cannot be tolerated. My prayers are with Charlie, his family, and all those affected during this difficult time. We cannot allow hatred and violence to define who we are. We are better than this.”
The Utah House’s Democratic leader, Rep, Angela Romero of Salt Lake City, condemned the violence and expressed her condolences in a statement Wednesday, adding, “Every student deserves to feel safe on campus, regardless of political views. Colleges should be places of learning, discourse and the respectful exchange of ideas. My heart is with the students, faculty, and staff at UVU. The actions of one or a few individuals must not overshadow the importance of civil discourse.”
Salt Lake County leaders express shock
Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson, also a Democrat, expressed similar sentiments in a statement.
“I am deeply concerned for everyone impacted by the shooting of Charlie Kirk today at UVU. Our thoughts are with him and his loved ones,” the statement read. “I implore all Utahns to respect freedom of speech and to resolve conflicts through civic engagement and not violence.”
Both the Democratic and Republican caucuses of the Salt Lake County Council condemned the violence.
“We are deeply saddened and shocked by the news of Charlie Kirk’s death. He was an individual who was living the American experience advocating for freedom of speech, encouraging civic engagement while inviting others to reflect, and strengthen their own beliefs and values,” the GOP caucus said in its statement. “It is shocking that it happened in our own state and shocking that so many young people witnessed this horrific event. As Charlie Kirk always said, ‘Where discourse ends, violence begins.’ May we recommit to the values we all hold dear. Violence is never the answer.”
The council’s Democrats wrote, “Our thoughts are with Charlie Kirk and everyone affected by today’s tragic shooting at Utah Valley University. Regardless of political affiliation, every Utahn, and every American, has the right to express their views freely and safely. It is our shared duty to engage our differences with respect and civility—not with violence.”
Former Republican Sen. Mitt Romney wrote that the shooting “shocked and sickened me and my family,” adding “we extend our prayers and profound sorrow to Charlie and his family, many friends and followers. Another senseless act of violence appalls us.”
Kirk was scheduled to speak at Utah State University later this month. Olivia Huff, a USU student who started a petition asking the school to cancel Kirk’s appearance, told The Tribune on Wednesday before news of his death that she was ending the petition. It had garnered more than 6,800 signatures.
“As someone who strongly disagrees with Charlie Kirk’s rhetoric, I want to be absolutely clear: I would never wish harm on him or his family,” Huff wrote in a statement. “No one’s life should ever be at risk because of their personal beliefs. I offer my deepest sympathy to Kirk and his loved ones in this time of insecurity, fear and doubt, and encourage people of all beliefs and opinions to extend the same compassion.”