Donald Trump has shared that his youngest son, Barron, has been left “very hurt” by the killing of Charlie Kirk.
Kirk, the well-known conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, was shot dead on Wednesday during a speaking event at Utah Valley University. The attack came moments after Kirk had responded to a question about mass shootings in the U.S.
Because Kirk’s events often drew large crowds and went viral online, several attendees were already filming when the gunfire erupted. Videos quickly spread across social media, triggering shock, outrage, and bipartisan condemnation.
The FBI launched a concentrated manhunt and later released footage showing a suspect climbing down from a rooftop near the university before fleeing across a parking area. Authorities also recovered a rifle and ammunition wrapped in a blanket in nearby woods. By Friday, Trump announced live on Fox News that a suspect had been taken into custody.
During the interview, Trump reflected on how the tragedy affected his own family—especially Barron.
“Barron’s a very good student, and he came to me one day and said he wanted to meet Charlie Kirk,” Trump said. “I set up a lunch for them. He came back and said, ‘That guy’s great, Dad.’ Charlie had a kind of magic over kids—diverse kids, Black, white—it didn’t matter. He connected with them.”
Trump added, “He was very hurt when he saw this.”
The shooting has not only shaken political circles but also underscored the personal bonds Kirk had built, even reaching into the Trump family.
Rest in peace, Charlie Kirk.