Trump pays tribute to Charlie Kirk on what would have been his 33rd birthday

Trump spoke at the Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport in Bullhead City, northwest of Phoenix along the Nevada border, to support Arizona Republican candidates ahead of next month’s midterm elections. During the rally, Trump took time to recognize Kirk, whose birthday was October 14.

"I also want to say a happy birthday to a great, great person, a great man, and a great friend of mine,” Trump said. “A friend that helped me with our elections all the time.”

Trump noted that Kirk would have been 33 years old if he were still alive. He also sent his love to Kirk’s widow, Erika, all of which prompted applause and chants of “Charlie, Charlie” from the crowd.

The remarks came less than one month after the one-year anniversary of Kirk’s assassination. Kirk was shot and killed last year while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University.

Since his death, Kirk has continued to receive support from conservatives, including being awarded the Medal of Freedom posthumously by President Trump. However, Kirk’s legacy has also been the target of those on the far-left who have mocked his death.

In September, a statue of Kirk unveiled at TPUSA’s headquarters was vandalized with red paint resembling blood. A sign honoring Kirk was also defaced, with vandals crossing out the word “Jesus” and replacing it with “Satan.”

"The vandals doing this in the middle of the night only underscores something we’ve sadly come to understand in a whole new way," TPUSA spokesman Andrew Kolvet told The Gateway Pundit following the vandalism. "Evil never sleeps. But God is in control, and we’ll pray that whoever did this is held accountable and comes to know Him."

Kirk’s alleged assassin, Tyler Robinson, is awaiting trial. Robinson’s attorneys are currently seeking to have cameras barred from the courtroom ahead of a hearing at which a trial date could be set.