'Martyr for truth’: Trump pays tribute to MAGA activist Charlie Kirk, blames ‘radical left’ rhetoric

President Trump pays tribute to close ally Charlie Kirk

US President Donald Trump paid tribute to conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot in the neck during an appearance at Utah Valley University. Trump said Kirk "was loved and admired by ALL."

The US president confirmed that Charlie Kirk, 31, co-founder and CEO of the youth group Turning Point USA, died from his injuries after being shot at Utah Valley University.

He is the latest casualty in a wave of political violence across the country. The White House added that Trump has ordered all American flags nationwide to be flown at half-mast.

Also read: Caught on camera: Charlie Kirk shot dead while answering question on mass violence

Trump wrote in his Truth Social post, "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. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!"

Trump mentioned in another post, "In honor of Charlie Kirk, a truly Great American Patriot, I am ordering all American Flags throughout the United States lowered to Half Mast until Sunday evening at 6 P.M."

Trump released a video calling Charlie Kirk a "martyr for truth" while blaming the "radical left," claiming its rhetoric contributed to the conservative activist’s death.

"For years those on the radical left have compared wonderful Americans like Charlie to Nazis and the world's worst mass murderers and criminals," Trump said in the video posted on his Truth Social account.

"This kind of rhetoric is directly responsible for the terrorism that we're seeing in our country today, and it must stop right now."

According to The New York Times, the shooting occurred while Kirk was answering a student’s question on mass shootings during the university event.

Utah Valley University confirmed that investigators are still searching for the gunman. "There is no suspect in custody, it is an active investigation," university spokesperson Ellen Treanor said in a statement, as cited by the NYT.

The incident comes amid heightened tensions around his tour. The Deseret News reported that more than 6,000 people have signed a petition urging Utah State University to cancel Kirk’s upcoming appearances.

The university noted that several agencies are now involved in the investigation, including the Orem Police Department, Utah Valley University Police, the FBI, and the Utah Department of Public Safety, according to The New York Times.