World leaders condemn assassination of Charlie Kirk

World leaders across the globe reacted with shock and grief on Wednesday after the assassination of conservative media personality Charlie Kirk, 31, during a speaking engagement at Utah Valley University. Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA, husband, and father of two, was shot while addressing the audience. He suffered a fatal neck wound and later died at a local hospital.

President Donald Trump confirmed the news in a social media post, calling Kirk’s passing a devastating loss to America’s conservative movement. “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,” Trump wrote. “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.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was among the first world leaders to respond, describing Kirk as having been “murdered for speaking truth and defending freedom.”

Netanyahu said he had spoken with Kirk just two weeks ago and had invited him to Israel. “Sadly, that visit will not take place,” Netanyahu said. “We lost an incredible human being. His boundless pride in America and his valiant belief in free speech will leave a lasting impact. Rest in peace, Charlie Kirk.”

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed outrage, calling Kirk’s killing “an atrocious murder” and “a deep wound for democracy and for those who believe in freedom.”

In the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, “It is heartbreaking that a young family has been robbed of a father and a husband. We must all be free to debate openly and freely without fear – there can be no justification for political violence.”

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called Kirk’s death “a tragedy, and a sign of the utter desperation and cowardice of those who could not defeat him in argument.” He added, “The world has a shining new martyr to free speech.”

Kemi Badenoch, leader of the British Conservative Party, said the murder was “a blow to everything Western civilization stands for.” Reform UK leader Nigel Farage shared a photo of himself with Kirk and called the news “a very dark day for American democracy.”

Argentina’s President Javier Milei posted a picture of himself with Kirk and former Rep. Matt Gaetz, offering condolences to Kirk’s family, “and to all the young people in the world who admired him and listened to him.”

In New Zealand, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters warned of the growing threat posed by political violence, saying, “It is tragic that we now live in a world that differences of opinion are met with a gun.” He called the attack not merely political violence but “an assassination.”

“The utter tragedy is that Kirk traveled extensively around university campuses to give an open mic and debate to everyone, and all were welcome. The essence of democracy is under threat around the world, and we must do everything we can to protect it.”

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was “appalled by the murder of Charlie Kirk,” emphasizing that “every act of political violence threatens democracy.”

“My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and loved ones,” he said.