“We will not let them win. And in Charlie’s honor, I just want to say we love you, Charlie."
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President Donald Trump paid tribute to his late friend and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk during his keynote address at the Republican National Committee’s Midterm Convention in Dallas on Wednesday, prompting a standing ovation for Kirk’s widow, Erika, and chants of “Charlie” throughout the arena.
The tribute came one day before the first anniversary of Kirk’s assassination at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Kirk was assassinated while speaking at an outdoor campus event on Sept. 10, 2025.
“So exactly one year ago tomorrow, a far-left extremist assassinated my great friend and conservative voice, Charlie Kirk, because Charlie Kirk spoke the truth,” Trump told the crowd.
Trump then criticized those who celebrated or attempted to justify Kirk's assassination. “What shocked millions of Americans was not only the fact that Charlie was murdered, as bad as it was, but also how many people made an excuse for it or cheered for it,” Trump said. “They were cheering, some people, sick people.”
“For a brief moment, the mask came off the radical left, and you saw what they were really all about,” Trump continued. “And now those same people are trying to get power over you in this election, and they are all voting Democrat, okay? They're all voting, every one of them, and you can't let it happen.”
Trump then invoked Kirk as he urged Republicans to win the November midterm elections. “We will not let them win,” Trump said. “And in Charlie’s honor, I just want to say we love you, Charlie.”
Trump then recognized Erika Kirk, who was watching the speech from the audience. “Erika is here someplace,” Trump said as he searched the crowd. “Erika? Where is Erika?”
When Erika Kirk was recognized, attendees rose to their feet and gave her a standing ovation before breaking into chants of “Charlie! Charlie! Charlie!”
“Thank you very much, and thank you, Erika,” Trump said after the crowd settled. “And I think Erika is going to be here tomorrow, too.”
Trump added, “She's put up with something, boy, oh boy, what she's had to go through, and the most beautiful family,” Trump said. “It's just terrible.”
Kirk, 31, was fatally shot while speaking to students at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025. Tyler Robinson, 22, was later arrested and charged with Kirk’s murder. Prosecutors have presented evidence that the shooter fired from the roof of the university’s Losee Center, while DNA recovered from the rifle and cartridges were matched to Robinson. Court documents also revealed a handwritten note Robinson addressed to his roommate and romantic partner, Lance Twiggs, in which Robinson wrote, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I took it.” Robinson and Twiggs had been dating and living together at the time of Kirk’s assassination.
During Robinson's preliminary hearing, Twiggs testified that the two began dating a few months after Robinson moved in with him. Evidence presented during the hearing also included text messages in which Twiggs asked Robinson, “You weren’t the one who did it right????” Robinson allegedly replied, “I am, I’m sorry.” DNA testing presented in court also linked Robinson to the rifle and cartridges recovered by investigators.
Kirk had become one of Trump’s most prominent political allies and a major force in the conservative movement through Turning Point USA, the organization he co-founded. Following Kirk’s death, Trump said Kirk “was loved and admired by all, especially me.”
Republicans also incorporated Kirk's memory into the convention itself. A seat on the stage was left empty for Kirk, with an American flag and bearing a placard reading, “Saved for Charlie.”
The RNC is scheduled to hold a longer tribute to Kirk during the second night of the convention on Thursday, the anniversary of his assassination.
The tribute came one day before the first anniversary of Kirk’s assassination at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Kirk was assassinated while speaking at an outdoor campus event on Sept. 10, 2025.
“So exactly one year ago tomorrow, a far-left extremist assassinated my great friend and conservative voice, Charlie Kirk, because Charlie Kirk spoke the truth,” Trump told the crowd.
Trump then criticized those who celebrated or attempted to justify Kirk's assassination. “What shocked millions of Americans was not only the fact that Charlie was murdered, as bad as it was, but also how many people made an excuse for it or cheered for it,” Trump said. “They were cheering, some people, sick people.”
“For a brief moment, the mask came off the radical left, and you saw what they were really all about,” Trump continued. “And now those same people are trying to get power over you in this election, and they are all voting Democrat, okay? They're all voting, every one of them, and you can't let it happen.”
Trump then invoked Kirk as he urged Republicans to win the November midterm elections. “We will not let them win,” Trump said. “And in Charlie’s honor, I just want to say we love you, Charlie.”
Trump then recognized Erika Kirk, who was watching the speech from the audience. “Erika is here someplace,” Trump said as he searched the crowd. “Erika? Where is Erika?”
When Erika Kirk was recognized, attendees rose to their feet and gave her a standing ovation before breaking into chants of “Charlie! Charlie! Charlie!”
“Thank you very much, and thank you, Erika,” Trump said after the crowd settled. “And I think Erika is going to be here tomorrow, too.”
Trump added, “She's put up with something, boy, oh boy, what she's had to go through, and the most beautiful family,” Trump said. “It's just terrible.”
Kirk, 31, was fatally shot while speaking to students at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025. Tyler Robinson, 22, was later arrested and charged with Kirk’s murder. Prosecutors have presented evidence that the shooter fired from the roof of the university’s Losee Center, while DNA recovered from the rifle and cartridges were matched to Robinson. Court documents also revealed a handwritten note Robinson addressed to his roommate and romantic partner, Lance Twiggs, in which Robinson wrote, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I took it.” Robinson and Twiggs had been dating and living together at the time of Kirk’s assassination.
During Robinson's preliminary hearing, Twiggs testified that the two began dating a few months after Robinson moved in with him. Evidence presented during the hearing also included text messages in which Twiggs asked Robinson, “You weren’t the one who did it right????” Robinson allegedly replied, “I am, I’m sorry.” DNA testing presented in court also linked Robinson to the rifle and cartridges recovered by investigators.
Kirk had become one of Trump’s most prominent political allies and a major force in the conservative movement through Turning Point USA, the organization he co-founded. Following Kirk’s death, Trump said Kirk “was loved and admired by all, especially me.”
Republicans also incorporated Kirk's memory into the convention itself. A seat on the stage was left empty for Kirk, with an American flag and bearing a placard reading, “Saved for Charlie.”
The RNC is scheduled to hold a longer tribute to Kirk during the second night of the convention on Thursday, the anniversary of his assassination.
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