By Cordy Brown, News Correspondent
Published: November 15, 2025
Washington, D.C. – In a candid interview with the Washington Examiner, President Trump opened up about the profound personal impact of the September 10, 2024, assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA. The shocking killing, which occurred during a campus event at the University of Utah, has reshaped Trump's approach to public life and security.
"It impacted me terribly," Trump said, his voice carrying the weight of disbelief. "Look, he was a great guy. He was for me all the way. All the way. It was so incredible when you heard it. I thought they must be wrong. It couldn’t be." Kirk, 31 at the time of his death, was gunned down by 22-year-old Tyler Robinson while addressing college students. Robinson, who confessed to the crime in a Discord group and to family members, faces first-degree murder charges. Authorities uncovered evidence linking him to radical left-wing ideologies, and he was reportedly in a relationship with his transgender male roommate, Lance Twiggs.
Trump, who endured two assassination attempts during his 2024 campaign, spoke fondly of Kirk's charisma and dedication. "He had a mystique. He had something special over the young people attracted to him," the president reflected. "He was a good person. He was not like somebody that’s a bad person. He was a hard worker. His wife is very good. Charlie really loved his wife."
The tragedy has cast a shadow over Trump's signature outdoor rallies, events he once described as the heartbeat of his campaigns. "The outdoor rallies. I love them, but I probably have to be careful," Trump admitted. "It's hard. The indoor rallies you can do." He reminisced about the grueling final stretch of his reelection bid – four or five events a day, from 8 a.m. wake-up calls to late-night crowds. "The last four months were perfect. No days off, no nothing... The only thing I was worried about was, will I lose my voice."
Now, with Kirk's loss fresh and his own brushes with mortality, Trump faces a new reality. The "viciousness" of the attack, as he put it, underscores a polarized era where public figures navigate constant threats. Yet, in Kirk's memory, Trump sees enduring inspiration: a reminder of the passion that draws generations to the fight.
Kirk's death sent ripples through conservative circles, but for Trump, it's become a deeply personal reckoning.