Republican Utah Governor Spencer Cox said Saturday that investigators believe suspected Charlie Kirk assassin, Tyler Robinson, was &#8220;deeply indoctrinated with leftist ideology.&#8221;
“It’s very clear to us and to the investigators that this was a person who was deeply indoctrinated with leftist ideology,” Cox <a href="https://www.wsj.com/us-news/who-tyler-robinson-charlie-kirk-suspect-814fd21f">told</a> The Wall Street Journal.
The Journal report noted that Robinson &#8220;lived much of life on the internet.&#8221; His mother said that by age 15, Robinson was dressing up as “some guy from a meme” for Halloween.
Cox has previously revealed that Robinson’s family members told investigators that the 22-year-old, who did not have a registered political party affiliation, had become more political over the last few years. At a recent dinner, Robinson discussed Kirk&#8217;s upcoming appearance at an outdoor event on the Utah Valley campus in Orem, and talked about why he didn&#8217;t like Kirk or his conservative ideology.
Additionally, recovered bullet casings found with the apparent murder weapon had anti-fascist engravings, Cox said. One casing read, &#8220;Hey Fascist! Catch!&#8221; and another included the lyrics from a famous Italian anti-fascist song called &#8220;Bella Ciao.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox confirmed writings on bullet casings of Charlie Kirk&#8217;s killer, Tyler Robinson:
&#8211; Notices bulges, OWO what&#8217;s this? 
&#8211; Hey Fascist! Catch! 
&#8211; Oh bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao ciao ciao 
&#8211; If you read this you are gay LMAO<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CharlieKirk?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CharlieKirk</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TylerRobinson?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TylerRobinson</a> <a href="https://t.co/bi3eghpBG4">pic.twitter.com/bi3eghpBG4</a>
— CapitolModerate (@CapitolModerate) <a href="https://twitter.com/CapitolModerate/status/1966506133310386636?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2025</a></blockquote>
Kirk, 31, was assassinated while answering questions at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. The politico had massive influence with young conservatives, having founded Turning Point USA at just 18 years old. He was widely known for routinely speaking openly about his Christian faith.
Cox said during a Friday presser that Kirk&#8217;s assassination could be a “turning point” on whether the country would embrace free and open debate or turn to political violence.
“This is certainly about the tragic death, assassination, political assassination, of Charlie Kirk,” the governor said. “But it is also much bigger than an attack on an individual. It is an attack on all of us.  It is an attack on the American experiment. It is an attack on our ideals. This cuts to the very foundation of who we are, of who we have been, and who we could be in better times.”
“Political violence is different than any other type of violence, for lots of different reasons,” Cox added. “One, because in the very act that Charlie championed of expression, that freedom of expression that is enshrined in our founding documents, in having his life taken in that very act makes it more difficult for people to feel like they can share their ideas, that they can speak freely.”
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/well-never-surrender-erika-kirk-gives-emotional-fiery-address-following-husbands-assassination?topStoryPosition=undefined&amp;author=Amanda+Prestigiacomo&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;row=1&amp;rowHeadline=Top+Stories&amp;rowType=Top+Stories&amp;title=%E2%80%98We%E2%80%99ll+Never+Surrender%E2%80%99%3A+Erika+Kirk+Gives+Emotional%2C+Fiery+Address+Following+Husband%E2%80%99s+Assassination">‘We’ll Never Surrender’: Erika Kirk Gives Emotional, Fiery Address Following Husband’s Assassination</a>

PHILL MAGAKOE/AFP via Getty Images

Details Emerge About Suspected Charlie Kirk Assassin’s ‘Leftist Ideology’

assassination

Charlie Kirk

Crime

Leftism

Murder

Politics

Spencer Cox

U.S.

Utah

An emotional and fiery Erika Kirk, widow of Charlie Kirk, spoke out publicly for the first time since the assassination of her husband on Friday. She reflected on Charlie&#8217;s life and faith, and vowed to never let her husband&#8217;s mission end.
Erika opened her remarks by thanking law enforcement and first responders for helping her husband after the shooting and capturing his assassin.
The young mother said her husband &#8220;loved what he did&#8221; and thanked all of Charlie&#8217;s supporters. She also singled out Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance for honoring Charlie after his assassination.
And to President Donald Trump, Erika said of her husband, &#8220;He loved you. And he knew that you loved him, too.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
JUST IN &#8211; ERIKA KIRK: &#8220;Mr. President. My husband loved you. And he knew that you loved him too. He did.&#8221;
😭😭 <a href="https://t.co/wGYfeLwngb">pic.twitter.com/wGYfeLwngb</a>
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) <a href="https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/1966660153534542119?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 13, 2025</a></blockquote>
She also discussed Charlie&#8217;s faith, and said she was sure Charlie was with his Savior, Jesus Christ. &#8220;Two days ago, my husband went to see the face of his Savior and his God,&#8221; she said. &#8220;Now, and for all eternity, he will stand at his Savior&#8217;s side wearing the glorious crown of a martyr.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Erika Kirk: &#8220;Two days ago, my husband went to see the face of his Savior and his God&#8230; Now, and for all eternity, he will stand at his Savior&#8217;s side wearing the glorious crown of a martyr.&#8221; ❤️ <a href="https://t.co/BhPDEPcK4I">pic.twitter.com/BhPDEPcK4I</a>
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1966661452942467190?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 13, 2025</a></blockquote>
&#8220;Charlie loved life, he loved his life, he loved America, he loved nature &#8230; he loved the Chicago Cubs and, my goodness, did he love the Oregon Ducks,&#8221; she said. &#8220;But most of all, Charlie loved his children and he loved me, with all of his heart. And I knew that, he made sure I knew that.&#8221;
&#8220;He was such a good man,&#8221; Erika said through tears. &#8220;He was the perfect father, he was the perfect husband.&#8221;
<div id="attachment_971973" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-971973" class="wp-image-971973 size-large" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/GettyImages-2234173488-2-864x576.jpg" alt="PHILL MAGAKOE/AFP via Getty Images" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/GettyImages-2234173488-2-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/GettyImages-2234173488-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/GettyImages-2234173488-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/GettyImages-2234173488-2.jpg 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" />PHILL MAGAKOE/AFP via Getty Images</div>
&#8220;My husband laid down his life for me, for our nation, for our children &#8212; he showed the ultimate covenantal love,&#8221; she continued. &#8220;Our God is so good.&#8221;
&#8220;The evildoers responsible for my husband&#8217;s assassination, they have no idea what they have done,&#8221; a fiery Erika said. &#8220;They should all know this, if you thought that my husband&#8217;s mission was powerful before, you have no idea, you have no idea what you just unleashed across this country.&#8221;
&#8220;You have no idea the fire you have ignited in his wife,&#8221; she said. &#8220;The cries of this widow will echo around the world like a battle cry.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
🚨 BREAKING &#8211; ERIKA KIRK UNLEASHES, DEFIANT: &#8220;They should all know this. If you THOUGHT that my husband&#8217;s mission was powerful before? You have NO IDEA. You have no idea what you&#8217;ve just unleashed across this entire country, and this world. You have no idea the fire you&#8217;ve… <a href="https://t.co/kxpcEa3pLw">pic.twitter.com/kxpcEa3pLw</a>
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) <a href="https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/1966661765086715932?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 13, 2025</a></blockquote>
&#8220;The movement my husband built will not die. It won&#8217;t. I refuse to let that happen,&#8221; Erika promised. &#8220;No one will ever forget my husband&#8217;s name, and I will make sure of it.&#8221;
Erika added that Turning Point USA events, including planned campus events, will continue as planned.
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/saying-political-violence-is-wrong-doesnt-go-far-enough?topStoryPosition=undefined&amp;author=Ben+Shapiro&amp;category=Opinion&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;row=1&amp;rowHeadline=Top+Stories&amp;rowType=Top+Stories&amp;title=Saying+‘Political+Violence+Is+Wrong’+Doesn’t+Go+Far+Enough">Saying ‘Political Violence Is Wrong’ Doesn’t Go Far Enough</a>

‘We’ll Never Surrender’: Erika Kirk Gives Emotional, Fiery Address Following Husband’s Assassination

Donald Trump

JD Vance

When people say “political violence is wrong,” does that change the underlying substructure of thought that leads to a massive elevation in violence in the country of the political variety?
I don&#8217;t think it means anything to just say that political violence is wrong, because there are actual substrates of thought that lead to the elevation of the violence that compel fringe actors to go out and do things like murder Charlie Kirk.
Thus, having our politicians simply go out there and say, “We&#8217;ve got to take down the temperature; we all have to use better language,” is absolutely true, but it isn&#8217;t specific enough.
Chuck Schumer said, “The bottom line is this is a time that all Americans should come together and feel and mourn what happened. Violence, which affects so many different people of so many different political persuasions, is an affliction of America, and coming together is what we ought to be doing, not pointing fingers of blame.”
Hakeem Jeffries said, “This moment requires leadership that brings the American people together, as opposed to trying to further divide us. Political violence in any form against any American is unacceptable, and should be denounced by everyone. And moving forward, we have to figure out a better way to come together, not as Democrats or Republicans, but as Americans.”
All of this is correct.
But all of this is incredibly vague.
I want to talk about something that we all know is true, but nobody seems to want to say: Not all ideologies are equally prone to violence.
When there is a shooting, a mass shooting at a synagogue, a mass shooting at a church, when Charlie Kirk is shot, everybody&#8217;s mind immediately goes to this: What are the likeliest probabilities in terms of who did the shooting? 
Everyone does this. We cannot pretend that we are blind to the realities of the world. When there is a shooting at a synagogue, I can tell you my mind goes to two places: radical Muslim or white supremacist. Those are usually the options. If there&#8217;s a shooting at a church, your mind might go to a trans radical or a radical Muslim. 
That&#8217;s where your mind is going to go. And this is leaving aside people who are generally mentally ill or where there&#8217;s no political ideology involved. If there is a political ideology involved, your mind immediately goes to the movements that are likely to drive people toward murder.
Not every ideology is prone to this. No one thought that when Charlie Kirk was shot, it was because of his stance on low taxes. No one thought that. We differ on all sorts of politics in this country. Nobody thought that a debate about marginal tax rates was why Charlie was shot. Nobody believes Charlie Kirk was murdered because of his stance on energy policy. 
<h3><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/episode/ep-2279-breaking-charlie-kirk-assassin-in-custody?elementPosition=0&amp;row=0&amp;rowHeadline=The+Ben+Shapiro+Show&amp;rowType=Horizontal+Show+Episodes+Carousel">WATCH: The Ben Shapiro Show</a></h3>
In order for an ideology, for a movement to coalesce in such a way that it allows for violence — the sort of bubbling of violence that lies at the outskirts of a movement — there have to be some preconditions.
I&#8217;ve been talking a lot about lions and scavengers. What we are seeing here is the scavengers at work. 
The basic philosophy of the scavenger is very simple: All models and civilizations are merely guises for power. My failure is a result of one of those corrupt power systems. There&#8217;s a great conspiracy out there. I am the victim. I&#8217;m being targeted. I am the actual victim. 
And thus, if there is a great conspiracy that is targeting me for destruction, I must respond in kind with violence.
This is how you get to the idiotic notion that speech is violence. 
Those are the three elements: “Morals and civilizations that I don&#8217;t like are simply guises for power,” “My failure within that system is a result of that great conspiracy and I am the victim,” and “It is an existential threat to me and therefore I must act out with violence and harm somebody.”
Let me give you three examples, and I&#8217;m going to take them from the top death threats I received. 
I receive an enormous number of death threats. I have 24/7 security on me, on my family. I literally go nowhere without an entire team of security at this point in my life. And that is because of things like what happened to Charlie.
There are three main wings that I get these threats from: Trans ideology/Marxist ideology, white supremacists, and radical Muslims. 
I want to go through each one of those and explain why these particular ideologies, why these particular movements are likely to generate violence. 
A trans ideology says that your argument about biology, that there is simply male and female, is, in fact, a guise for power. You&#8217;re doing it because you hate me; you wish to erase me. I am a victim of your failure to accept my identity, such that you&#8217;re erasing me. You&#8217;re engaging in a “trans genocide,” and therefore, you are threatening me. Your speech is a form of violence. It is wiping away my identity. 
And therefore violence ought to be met with violence.
Marxist ideology, which is derived from the same general area, is the idea that the governmental system, the free market system, is an imposition on me. It is a conspiracy from above to harm me, to destroy me. My failures inside the market are actually not my own. They&#8217;re the fault of the system. And you, as an advocate for the system, are victimizing me. You&#8217;re erasing me. You&#8217;re destroying me. And I must act with violence. There&#8217;s a reason why Marxist movements are so violent. They say that speech, advocacy for the free market, is, in fact, a system of power. It is to be met with violence. 
White supremacy: I know that there&#8217;s an attempt to pretend that this doesn&#8217;t exist, but it absolutely exists in online spaces. Pretending it doesn&#8217;t is bulls*** and everyone knows it. I know it because I&#8217;ve had to have the FBI arrest somebody who was doing this while threatening not just me, by the way, but Donald Trump Jr. 
That ideology says that white people are being put upon in the United States by an entire system. And if you&#8217;re an advocate for that system, you are threatening me with destruction, with erasure, with white genocide, and thus you must be killed. Violence is a proper response to an attempted genocide. That is the argument that is made, at root, by many white supremacists. 
I&#8217;m not talking about what the Left calls white supremacy, which is anything to the right of Hillary Clinton. I&#8217;m talking about actual, honest-to-God white supremacists. I get an awful lot of death threats from them.
Group number three, radical Muslims, who believe that the failures of the Palestinians, for example, are the result of evil Western systems. And thus, if you are an advocate for those systems, it&#8217;s because you want to erase the radical Muslims and you want to kill people and you want to commit genocide, and therefore it is fine to shoot two Israeli embassy staffers dead in Washington, D.C. That is why it is fine to throw a Molotov cocktail at an 80-year-old woman in Colorado who was protesting Israeli hostages being held. 
We all know this is true. Pretending it isn&#8217;t true doesn&#8217;t make it go away. Not all movements are equally likely to bubble up with violence.
And so when we have politicians saying political violence is bad, if you&#8217;re not speaking out against the movements that use this logic, if you&#8217;re not speaking out against the movements that say that speech is in fact a form of violence, that systems are in fact a form of violence, and that violence is the proper response to that, then you are contributing to the environment in which this kind of stuff happens. 
It is not that there are many radical Muslims in the United States, by the numbers, thank God.
It’s not that there are many white supremacists in the United States.
But by the numbers, the increasing radicalism of the Left in the United States is, in fact, a massive issue. 
The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) recently did rankings of campus free speech. And what they found is that college campuses are replete with the failure to speak your mind. 
Why? Because people are afraid of violence.
It goes all the way back to when I was in college. There&#8217;s nothing new here. I wrote my very first book, “Brainwashed: How Universities Indoctrinate America’s Youth,” in 2004 about the kind of discrimination conservatives faced on campus. And yes, there was the possibility of violence, even in 2004, not being shot, but the possibility of being physically assaulted, which is something that came close to happening to me multiple times, even when I was an undergrad. 
That&#8217;s going back 20 years, when I was warning that this was going to metastasize and take over huge swaths of the political Left. People ignored it at the time. But it was true.
I spoke in 2015 at the University of Missouri during the Black Lives Matter upsurge, after Ferguson. And I remember people asking about safety. I said, “I&#8217;m not worried about safety. There are some police there; I&#8217;ve got a security team now. No one’s going to take a shot at me. This is America. You don&#8217;t get shot in America for saying things on a college campus. This is America. I grew up in this country. This is my country. This is a country I love. This is where our fundamental value is the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. No one&#8217;s going to do this kind of stuff. No one.” 
But it&#8217;s becoming more and more common. According to FIRE, a record 1-in-3 students now hold some level of acceptance, even if only rarely, for resorting to violence to stop a campus speech. 
Now, I&#8217;m sure not everybody who believes they&#8217;re using violence thinks in terms of shooting someone to death. But when you are drawing from a pool at this point of legitimately tens of millions of young Americans, who are atomistic and isolated and don&#8217;t touch grass, it is not going to be hard to find some unhinged people who decide to take that to its logical conclusion and fire a bullet through the throat of a man who is simply attempting to speak truth to people in the friendliest possible fashion. 
I don&#8217;t like when people say “They shot Charlie,” because “they” isn&#8217;t a person. A person shot Charlie Kirk, and he shot Charlie Kirk for a deranged reason.
With that said, there are movements in which the substrate of their political thinking leads to an elevation in violence. Period. End of story. That is a reality.
And it is not enough to just say “political violence is bad” if you are not calling out the movements themselves.

TOPSHOT-US-POLITICS-HOMICIDE-MASS-MEDIA-CRIME

Saying ‘Political Violence Is Wrong’ Doesn’t Go Far Enough

Anti-Semitism

Ben Shapiro

Leftists

Marxism

Opinion

Radical Islam

Shooting

Transgender

White Supremacists

Daily Wire podcast host Michael Knowles made an appearance on &#8220;Fox News @ Night&#8221; on Thursday to discuss the impact of Charlie Kirk’s assassination on our nation.
Host Trace Gallagher asked Knowles to react to a comment that Director of Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard made comparing Kirk’s assassin to the terrorists who attacked the United States on 9/11.
“There’s a common characteristic between Charlie Kirk’s assassin and the Islamist terrorist organization Al Qaeda who attacked us on 9/11 in that they both sought to silence those who they did not agree with. They both recognized that their ideologies, their views, would not stand up to being challenged,” Gabbard said.  
Gallagher asked Knowles to expand on the idea.
“Of course I think that’s why Charlie’s death is hitting so many millions of people in such a profound way,” the podcast host began. “You know, all of us were friends with the guy, but he had so many more millions of admirers … grown men who have broken down sobbing &#8212; and they texted me this. And they couldn’t figure out why. But I think it’s because Charlie was the most significant political figure of his generation. We all thought he was going to be president someday.”
He went on to explain how the radical Left saw Kirk as a threat because he was powerful without being in power.
“He didn’t hold office. And he didn’t pass laws. And he didn’t wield direct political power,” Knowles observed. “All this guy did was go into hostile territory and sit down and try to talk out the issue respectfully, generously, graciously, as always. And I think a lot of people feel a great fear and sadness that not only did this great man die, but that the idea might have died as well.”
The podcast host also noted how Kirk was consistent in his messaging.
“One of my favorite things about Charlie, and I had many favorite things, is that he applied eternal principles to constantly changing political circumstances. And he was the very best at going out and having open discourse in an open field in this case. And if the opponents would not tolerate that in the end … the Left simply would not tolerate that and murdered him for it, then I think that we need to restore order in a way that has a little bit more force to it … to prevent these tragedies from happening in the future.”

Michael Knowles

Michael Knowles Reflects On Why Charlie Kirk’s Death Feels So ‘Profound’ For People

Free Speech

General

Federal and state officials in Utah revealed on Friday morning that they closed in on Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old man suspected of assassinating Charlie Kirk, after a family friend reached out to law enforcement.
FBI Director Kash Patel said that authorities “made historic progress for Charlie” after capturing the suspected assassin in just 33 hours. Patel then provided a timeline of the FBI’s response immediately after Kirk was gunned down and how the search for the alleged assassin came to a close.
<h2>Wednesday, September 10</h2>
<h3>11:52 a.m. MT — Suspect Arrives Near Campus</h3>
Authorities said video showed the suspected assassin driving near campus in a gray Dodge Challenger. One of Robinson’s family members reportedly told investigators that Robinson drove a gray Dodge Challenger. The suspect then walked onto campus and climbed up the stairwells to a roof adjacent to the courtyard where Kirk was speaking, according to authorities.
<h3>12:23 p.m. — Charlie Kirk Shot</h3>
Authorities believe that a single shot was fired from the roof of a building around 200 yards from where Kirk was debating students during one of his signature question and answer sessions.
<h3>12:39 p.m. — The First FBI Agents Arrive, Secure Scene</h3>
Shortly after the FBI took over the investigation, the agency immediately began utilizing assets to transport “personnel, specialty technicians, [and] hostage rescue teams,” Patel said, adding that forensic evidence was taken to FBI laboratories at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia and other laboratories.
<h3>2:40 p.m. — President Trump Announces That Kirk Has Died</h3>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
&#8220;The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. 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. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his… <a href="https://t.co/aM8Pz3TKml">pic.twitter.com/aM8Pz3TKml</a>
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1965880535659470994?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 10, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<h3>5:20 p.m. — Person Of Interest Questioned</h3>
Patel said a person of interest was questioned at 5:20 p.m. on Wednesday. He posted at 5:21 p.m. that the “subject for the horrific shooting” was in custody, but less than two hours later, the FBI director posted an update, saying, “The subject in custody has been released after an interrogation by law enforcement.” Two subjects were questioned by authorities on Wednesday in connection with the assassination before they were both released.
<h2>Thursday, September 11</h2>
<h3>10:00 a.m. — FBI Releases First Photos Of Suspected Assassin</h3>
<h3>10:45 a.m. — FBI Offers $100,000 Reward For Info Leading To Arrest Of Suspect</h3>
<h3>5:30 p.m. — Patel And Deputy Director Dan Bongino Arrive In Utah</h3>
Patel said that he was able to evaluate &#8220;the large crime scene” at Utah Valley University with investigators, where he walked &#8220;through the steps that the suspect took to learn more about what was needed … to create a full picture for the FBI and leadership back in Washington. The FBI director added that investigators are continuing to look at forensic evidence “as we collect it.”
The public also flooded the FBI with around 7,000 leads on Thursday.
<h3>8:00 p.m. — FBI Releases More Images, Video Of Suspected Assassin Fleeing Scene</h3>
The video showed the suspect jumping off the roof from where the single shot that killed Kirk was fired. Images released by the FBI showed a man in an American flag shirt, a hat, and sunglasses walking up a stairwell.
<h3>10:00 p.m. — Tyler Robinson Arrested In Southern Utah</h3>
Officials said that Robinson was turned in after a family member reached out to a friend about the 22-year-old, who allegedly confessed or implied that he had assassinated Kirk. The New York Post and The Daily Mail reported that the suspect admitted to the assassination to his father. Robinson reportedly told his father that he wanted to kill himself when his father urged him to turn himself over to the authorities.
Robinson’s father convinced his son to talk to their youth minister, who is also a U.S. Marshal, The New York Post <a href="https://nypost.com/2025/09/12/us-news/tyler-robinson-full-of-hate-before-charlie-kirk-shooting-says-family-friends/">reported</a>. The youth minister then called the FBI, and shortly after, agents took Robinson into custody.

FBI director Kash Patel / Mugshot: Tyler Robinson

TIMELINE: How Authorities Circled In On Suspected Assassin Tyler Robinson

Investigation

kash patel

Utah officials and the FBI confirmed during a press conference on Friday morning that the man suspected of assassinating conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was taken into custody on Thursday night.
Utah Republican Governor Spencer Cox said at a press conference that 22-year-old Tyler Robinson was arrested after allegedly confessing or implying to a family member that he had assassinated Kirk. Robinson also recently told a family member of his dislike of Kirk, the governor said. Cox added that a family member of Robinson’s told investigators that the suspected assassin had become more political in recent years, and that Robinson mentioned at a recent dinner that Kirk was scheduled to speak at Utah Valley University.
“They talked about why they didn’t like him and the viewpoints that he had,” the governor added. “The family member also stated Kirk was full of hate and spreading hate.”
Robinson was taken into custody at around 10:00 p.m. local time on Thursday, according to FBI Director Kash Patel. One of Robinson’s family members reached out to a family friend about the 22-year-old who allegedly confessed or implied that he had assassinated Kirk. The information “was then relayed” to authorities, according to Cox. Robinson lived with his family in Washington County in southwest Utah and was not a student at Utah Valley University.
Authorities said campus video showed the suspected assassin arriving at Utah Valley University in a gray Dodge Challenger before Kirk’s killing, and a family member later confirmed to investigators that Robinson owned the same type of car.
A roommate of Robinson also spoke with investigators and allowed them to review messages from the suspect that were sent via the online platform Discord. Messages sent from “Tyler” allegedly discussed retrieving a rifle from a “drop point” and “leaving the rifle in a bush,” Cox said. Authorities said they found a bolt-action rifle with a scope attached in a bush in a wooded area near where Kirk was assassinated. Another message from “Tyler” mentioned that he had changed outfits, the governor added.
Cox said that ammunition from the rifle that authorities believe the suspected assassin used to kill Kirk was engraved with multiple phrases, including “Notices Bulges OwO what&#8217;s this?” (a furry culture meme), “^&gt;VVV” (the calldown code for a 500kg bomb in the game Helldivers 2), “Oh bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao ciao ciao” (song of the Italian antifascist resistance), “If you read this you are gay LMAO,” and “Hey fascist! Catch!” It does not appear that the suspected assassin made any reference to transgender ideology, as was previously stated in <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/ammunition-from-charlie-kirk-assassination-was-engraved-with-transgender-and-anti-fascist-ideology">reports</a> citing internal government documents.
FBI Director Patel and Utah County Sheriff Mike Smith thanked the public for its help in catching the suspected assassin. Smith added that the success of law enforcement could not have been achieved without the public’s prayers, patience, and support.
“That is what we needed to get through this,” he said.
Patel added that the investigation remains ongoing, and Governor Cox said that charging documents will likely be filed next week. Utah is one of the few states that still has the death penalty. Both Cox and President Donald Trump have called for Kirk’s assassin to be executed after he is convicted.

Mugshot: Tyler Robinson

Authorities Arrest, Identify Suspected Charlie Kirk Assassin

Police

The manhunt for Charlie Kirk&#8217;s assassin continues, as reports indicate the ammunition used was etched with pro-transgender and anti-fascist phrases. The legacy media faces intense backlash for its response to Charlie Kirk&#8217;s murder, with some commentators blaming the victim for his own assassination. On the 24th anniversary of 9/11, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth lays out a new, hard-hitting vision for the U.S. Military.
It’s Friday, September 12, 2025, and this is the news you need to know to start your day.
Morning Wire is available on video! You can watch today’s episode here:
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Hunting Kirk’s Assassin &amp; America’s Military Renewal" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZcV5SKJVMsc?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
If you’d rather listen to your news, today’s edition of the Morning Wire podcast can be heard below:
<iframe style="width: 100%; max-width: 660px; overflow: hidden; border-radius: 10px;" src="https://embed.podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hunting-kirks-assassin-americas-military-renewal-9-12-25/id1576594336?i=1000726473113" height="175" frameborder="0" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation"></iframe>
<h2>Manhunt Continues for Charlie Kirk’s Killer</h2>
<div class="image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-971571" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/MRN-9.12.25-SH1-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/MRN-9.12.25-SH1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/MRN-9.12.25-SH1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/MRN-9.12.25-SH1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/MRN-9.12.25-SH1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/MRN-9.12.25-SH1.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></div>
Topline: The nationwide manhunt continues for the assassin who fatally shot Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, as new reports indicate the ammunition used in the attack was etched with pro-transgender and anti-fascist slogans.
Authorities have recovered the high-powered, bolt-action rifle allegedly used in the attack from a wooded area near the Utah Valley University campus. A law enforcement bulletin cited by The Wall Street Journal said the ammunition found with the rifle was etched with a number of pro-transgender and anti-fascist phrases. Kirk was an outspoken critic of transgender ideology and was discussing the topic at the moment he was shot.
The FBI has identified a new person of interest &#8212; a slender male in his 20s &#8212; and released two images to the public, offering a $100,000 reward for information on his whereabouts. As the killer remains at large, lawmakers across the country have canceled scheduled events over security fears. Later on Thursday, authorities released video showing the suspected assassin flee the scene, jumping off the building where he&#8217;s believed to have shot Kirk from with a hunting rifle.
<div id="attachment_971557" style="width: 307px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-971557" class="size-large wp-image-971557" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/GettyImages-2234187310-297x576.jpg" alt="" width="297" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/GettyImages-2234187310-297x576.jpg 297w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/GettyImages-2234187310-155x300.jpg 155w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/GettyImages-2234187310-768x1490.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/GettyImages-2234187310-792x1536.jpg 792w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/GettyImages-2234187310-1055x2048.jpg 1055w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/GettyImages-2234187310-scaled.jpg 1319w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 297px) 100vw, 297px" />(Photo by FBI Salt Lake City via Getty Images)</div>
President Trump announced that Kirk would be posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, calling him a &#8220;giant of his generation.&#8221; On Thursday, Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha, accompanied the Kirk family as Charlie’s casket was flown back to his home in Phoenix, Arizona, on Air Force 2.
<h2>Legacy Media Faces Backlash for Response to Kirk’s Murder</h2>
<div class="image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-971573" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/MRN-9.12.25-SH2-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/MRN-9.12.25-SH2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/MRN-9.12.25-SH2-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/MRN-9.12.25-SH2-768x432.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/MRN-9.12.25-SH2-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/MRN-9.12.25-SH2.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></div>
Topline: The legacy media is facing widespread and intense criticism for its coverage of Charlie Kirk&#8217;s assassination, with some commentators implying the conservative activist was to blame for his own death.
Immediately after the fatal shooting, MSNBC contributor Matthew Dowd suggested on-air that Kirk&#8217;s &#8220;hate speech&#8221; often leads to &#8220;hateful actions,&#8221; and even speculated that the shot could have come from &#8220;a supporter shooting their gun off in celebration.&#8221; Following intense backlash, MSNBC issued an apology and fired Dowd. On CBS, host Nate Burleson suggested the assassination was a moment for the Republican Party to reflect on political violence. The New York Times initially smeared Kirk as a &#8220;provocateur&#8221; in its report on his assassination.
Critics are pointing to a long pattern of hostile and false coverage of Kirk by legacy media outlets and activist groups. The far-Left Southern Poverty Law Center recently added Kirk&#8217;s organization, Turning Point USA, to its &#8220;Hate Map&#8221; alongside KKK chapters. On the floor of the U.S. House, about a dozen Democrats erupted in protest when Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) requested a prayer for Kirk after a moment of silence, with one shouting, &#8220;Pass some gun laws!&#8221;
<h2>Hegseth Issues 9/11 Call to Action for U.S. Military</h2>
<div class="image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-971569" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/MRN-9.12.25-SH3-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/MRN-9.12.25-SH3-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/MRN-9.12.25-SH3-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/MRN-9.12.25-SH3-768x432.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/MRN-9.12.25-SH3-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/MRN-9.12.25-SH3.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></div>
Topline: On the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth delivered a powerful address laying out the Trump administration&#8217;s hard-hitting vision for the U.S. Military.
&#8220;War is an enduring aspect of the human condition,&#8221; Hegseth said Thursday. &#8220;War must not become a mere tool for global social work, eager to risk American blood and treasure for utopian fever dreams. We should hit hard, wreak vengeance, and return home.”
Retired Marine Corps Major Chris Lovell told Morning Wire that the new mission clarity is having a positive effect on the armed forces. &#8220;We are in such a good place with the military,&#8221; Lovell said, crediting the administration with &#8220;getting rid of the DEI distractions, the woke distractions.&#8221; He said recruitment is now &#8220;fuller than ever&#8221; because the mission is clear.
Lovell reflected on the surge of patriotism following the 9/11 attacks, when nearly 200,000 young Americans enlisted. He said the military&#8217;s new mission under Trump and Hegseth is inspiring a similar sense of purpose. &#8220;We&#8217;re going to be lethal,&#8221; Lovell said. &#8220;We&#8217;re going to defend the interests of the United States of America. And we&#8217;re going to have leaders that support us and have our backs.&#8221;

MRN 9.12.25 Thumbnail V2

Morning Brief: Manhunt For Charlie Kirk’s Killer, Backlash To Media Coverage, 9/11 ‘Call To Action’

9/11

Legacy Media

Media

Governor Spencer Cox (R-UT) vowed to seek the death penalty in the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk — and called on members of the public to aid in the manhunt that has already gone on for more than 24 hours.
The call came during a press conference that took place late Thursday evening — a press conference that was initially scheduled for earlier in the day, but was delayed at the last minute due to &#8220;rapid developments&#8221; in the case. &#8220;Due to the rapid developments in our investigation, we will suspend this,&#8221; the Utah Department of Public Safety announced via email.
The press conference began about twenty minutes later than the scheduled start time of 7:30 p.m. local time, and officials shared video of the suspect as he ran from his perch and ultimately climbed over the edge of the roof of the building, hanging from the side before jumping to the ground.
WATCH:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
🚨BREAKING: Officials release new footage of Charlie Kirk&#8217;s assassin during tonight&#8217;s press conference: <a href="https://t.co/ugqmG9Vuao">pic.twitter.com/ugqmG9Vuao</a>
— Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDailyWire/status/1966320915651666263?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
They called on members of the public to look at identifiable items of clothing on the suspect to hopefully assist officials as they try to find the individual responsible for Kirk&#8217;s murder. They also announced that they had already interviewed more than 200 people and had received thousands of tips from the public, more than they had seen in any case since the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013.
WATCH:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
🚨 BREAKING: 7,000 LEADS have been received by the FBI to help find the kiIIer of Charlie Kirk
FBI and Utah DPS have already conducted over **200** interviews
ALL resources are being utilized, and NO expense is being spared.
CHARLIE&#8217;S KlLLER WILL BE FOUND! <a href="https://t.co/N38N7Lc6ei">pic.twitter.com/N38N7Lc6ei</a>
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) <a href="https://twitter.com/nicksortor/status/1966321375158956505?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
DPS asked for digital tips and videos from anyone who might have footage from the Wednesday event, and vowed to capture the person responsible. Governor Spencer Cox (R-UT) also promised that the state planned to seek the death penalty once the suspect was apprehended and tried.
Investigators began the manhunt within moments of the fatal shooting that took place on Wednesday during a campus event at Utah Valley University, and photos of a &#8220;person of interest&#8221; in the case were released to the public on Thursday afternoon. The photos showed a male figure wearing an American flag t-shirt, sunglasses, and a hat — and authorities said they believed he&#8217;d &#8220;blended in well with a college institution&#8221; and was likely around the same age as some of those present for Kirk&#8217;s event.
The FBI offered a reward of $100,000 to anyone who could provide information that led to the shooter&#8217;s arrest.
&#8220;The shooting is believed to be a targeted attack. The shooter is believed to have fired from the roof of a building down to the location of the public event in the student courtyard,&#8221; the Utah Department of Public Safety said in a statement prior to the press conference. &#8220;Any additional clarifications cannot be provided to protect the integrity of our investigation.&#8221;

FILES-US-POLITICS-SHOOTING-KIRK

Governor Vows To Seek Death Penalty In Kirk Assassination, Calls On Public To Aid In Manhunt

FBI Seeks Help Following Charlie Kirk's Assassination

Political Violence

Violent Crime

Conservative icon Charlie Kirk, before his assassination on Wednesday, talked about assassination culture rising on the Left, and needing full-time security.
In a resurfaced video, which was posted by HumanEvents, Kirk says opponents will &#8220;take weapons&#8221; to try to &#8220;murder&#8221; conservative ideas, since they cannot effectively debate and defend their own ideas.
“At the core of the Left, at the core of a liberal, is someone that would use the sword if they had it,&#8221; Kirk says in the video. &#8220;They are very violent people at their core, they always have been. They can’t debate, they can’t have conversations, so they resort to these tactics.&#8221;
“They are going to do everything they possibly can to try to murder this movement because they can’t beat us, so they’re going to try to take weapons. And know we’re very aware of that, I am very aware of it &#8212; we have to have full time security,&#8221; he added. &#8220;This is not a joke and this is who these people are.&#8221;
WATCH:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
Charlie Kirk warned us about the violent left!
“At the core of the left, the core of a liberal, is someone who would use the sword if they had it. They are very violent people at the core! “
“They can’t debate they can’t have conversation so they’ll resort to these tactics.”… <a href="https://t.co/mAYpMGRGvR">pic.twitter.com/mAYpMGRGvR</a>
— PattyMI (@PattyLovesTruth) <a href="https://twitter.com/PattyLovesTruth/status/1965942641851510898?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 11, 2025</a></blockquote>
Additionally, just months before his murder, Kirk took note of the Left&#8217;s increasing support for political violence.
&#8220;Assassination culture is spreading on the left,&#8221; he posted to X, back in April. &#8220;Forty-eight percent of liberals say it would be at least somewhat justified to murder Elon Musk. Fifty-five percent said the same about Donald Trump. In California, activists are naming ballot measures after Luigi Mangione.&#8221;
&#8220;The left is being whipped into a violent frenzy,&#8221; Kirk continued. &#8220;Any setback, whether losing an election or losing a court case, justifies a maximally violent response.&#8221;
&#8220;This is the natural outgrowth of left-wing protest culture tolerating violence and mayhem for years on end,&#8221; he added. &#8220;The cowardice of local prosecutors and school officials have turned the left into a ticking time bomb.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Assassination culture is spreading on the left. Forty-eight percent of liberals say it would be at least somewhat justified to murder Elon Musk. Fifty-five percent said the same about Donald Trump.
In California, activists are naming ballot measures after Luigi Mangione.
The… <a href="https://t.co/xiGAAvoPHy">pic.twitter.com/xiGAAvoPHy</a>
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) <a href="https://twitter.com/charliekirk11/status/1909391943802703899?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 7, 2025</a></blockquote>
Kirk was tragically shot dead during an outdoor event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, when he was openly debating differing viewpoints.
President Donald Trump called the late conservative a “legendary” figure.
“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie,” Trump wrote. “He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”
Trump announced on Thursday that Kirk will be posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/charlie-kirk-was-asked-how-he-wanted-to-be-remembered-he-pointed-to-his-faith?author=Amanda+Prestigiacomo&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=1&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Charlie+Kirk+Was+Asked+How+He+Wanted+To+Be+Remembered.+He+Pointed+To+His+Faith.">Charlie Kirk Was Asked How He Wanted To Be Remembered. He Pointed To His Faith.</a>

Charlie Kirk’s Prescient Message On Assassination Culture Before His Death

Words will never be able to convey how devastated we are that Charlie Kirk was taken from us far too soon.
I had the honor and privilege of not just knowing Charlie professionally as a fellow warrior in the conservative movement, but as a close friend and my most influential mentor for the past eight years.
All of you know Charlie for what you saw on social media and television — a fierce fighter with strong convictions who deeply loved our country and fearlessly advocated for his vision for a stronger future. I spent a lot of time with this Charlie — speaking on college campuses and facing the crowds of protesters with a smile on our faces, staying up into all hours of the night live-streaming election coverage, and breaking the news of the day on The Charlie Kirk Show.
What most of you never saw, what God blessed me with the opportunity to witness, was the Charlie who lived off-screen. The young man who lived for a Chicago Cubs game and watched them in green rooms before speeches all over the country. The person who recorded silly videos with my siblings at the endless political conferences we attended over the years. The guy who would spar with me over TikTok’s necessity to save the country as I pleaded with him to finally make an account (and thank God he did). The friend who personally wrote my recommendation letter for my job application for a position at the White House. The husband who inspired me to get serious about the type of man I wanted to marry. The father who’d sing with his beautiful wife and children on FaceTime while traveling away from home, promising that daddy would be home soon. The enthusiastic big-brother-figure who spent an hour ignoring his fans at Mar-a-Lago while dressed to the nines to rattle off parenting advice to my husband and me as we joyfully shared the news of our pregnancy last winter. The servant leader who sought wisdom from God above all else, and deeply yearned for the closest relationship to Christ he could foster.
Today, we are all shocked, devastated, angry, and deeply filled with sorrow — but I unexpectedly also find a glimmer of joy after spending the day with Charlie last week, sharing the stage at a church in central California.
We’d been briefed a few days before that there’d be some protesters outside, so extra security was called in, and we laughed about how this felt like old times when I was a student at Colorado State and he came to campus, making quite a buzz in the process. We dined with the organizers of the event, and Charlie graciously gestured for me to join him in a Q&amp;A with a smaller group of donors before the main speeches, who, fascinatingly, above all else, had questions about the true battle of good and evil waging in our time and the role people of faith must take to continue spreading the light of the gospel.
<h3><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/episode/thank-you-charlie-kirk?elementPosition=1&amp;row=2&amp;rowHeadline=Latest+Episodes&amp;rowType=Horizontal+Show+Episodes+Carousel">WATCH: The Isabel Brown Show</a></h3>
We get these questions a lot, but something felt different about this event. Charlie (as always) spoke with such powerful moral clarity, but I found myself locked in on every word he said as if I was hearing it for the first time. He radiated wisdom from the Holy Spirit in a way that I had never witnessed, publicly or privately, and it was inspiring to behold.
Moments later, we were whisked into separate green rooms before the actual event began on stage with a crowd of about 2,500 people. I poked my head in to wave to Charlie and his team, and he immediately waved me over to sit down and hang out for about an hour before we delivered our speeches.
Normally, we’d talk about politics and what’s happening in the media, but Charlie only wanted to talk about God and the Church. For about an hour, we jovially debated on matters of theology and spoke about, of all things, heaven. Again, I was so touched by his zeal for his faith that was always pervasive in his life, but seemed especially ignited on this particular day.
I left to give my speech, and Charlie said, “Turn the volume up on that monitor! I want to hear the great Isabel speak!!” To which I giggled, and he told me to break a leg.
After I spoke for about 20 minutes, Charlie took the stage, and again captivated the audience in a way I’ve perhaps never seen. He spoke not just about the importance of fighting for our country, but for humanity to once and for all defeat evil. For us to show up and fight in the spiritual warfare we don’t see with our own two eyes, but is waging on constantly all around us. For several minutes, he spoke to our calling from Christ to be “Salt and Light:” a calling misunderstood by many, but boils down to one action — to transform its surroundings.
He pleaded with the audience, humbly and earnestly, that none of us can be in this fight alone. Nor can we expect someone else to do the fighting for us. Instead, we have to show up, on offense, ready to transform culture and society to be rooted in what is good and true and beautiful. We have to be salt and light.
You could hear a pin drop in the room, and the thunderous applause after he was done speaking was deafening.
To me, Charlie Kirk will always be the perfect embodiment of salt and light. Charlie always remembered his friends — not just when it was convenient for him, but he constantly went out of his way to serve others in the small ways you’ll never hear about in the media. He was a fierce friend and a trusted confidant to all who knew him, humbly putting others before himself whenever he could. But he was also a shining beacon. He inspired a nation and an entire generation to seek and speak the truth, consequences be damned. He knew it was his vocation to inspire others with hope to keep fighting for goodness and for God in a society demanding we sit down and shut up and lose that hope.
He transformed the world. And we will never be the same without him.
It’s not an exaggeration to say I owe everything to Charlie. I owe my career to him, I owe my family to him — it was because of Charlie I met my husband at a TPUSA conference, and my daughter wouldn’t exist otherwise. And, in many ways, I owe my faith to him as I sat in a front row seat, marveling at this extraordinary young man’s quest for the Truth of God day in and day out for nearly a decade of my life.
Thinking back to last week, I am so moved by the fact that Charlie spent so much of his quiet free time in the green room with me, talking about faith and heaven. As people of faith, we know that death is a devastating loss, especially when someone so pure was robbed of life so violently and prematurely. But I rejoice in prayer today, even through tears, knowing that today Charlie is more alive than we are in the fullness of eternal life with his Savior and his anchor in heaven. My heart today is with his beautiful wife and children, and I ask that you pray for them earnestly.
Our hearts are shattered, but we promise to keep showing up tomorrow to be salt and light. We love you, Charlie. Pray for us while we wait and yearn to join you in eternal life.
“If you believe in something, you need to have the courage to fight for those ideas &#8211; not run away from them or try and silence them.” —<a href="https://x.com/charliekirk11"> @charliekirk11</a>

MixCollage-11-Sep-2025-04-32-PM-786

Charlie Kirk, The Perfect Embodiment Of Salt And Light

Conservatives

Isabel Brown

Obituaries

Turning Point USA

Daily Wire hosts Ben Shapiro and Matt Walsh stood firm in their defense of free speech and conservative values after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, even as some unhinged leftists called for more political commentators to be targeted.
Shapiro and Walsh dedicated their shows on Thursday to honoring the legacy of Kirk, who was killed while speaking to students at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. During their shows, both Shapiro and Walsh also told their followers that despite concerns of more violence against conservatives, they would never back down and continue to stand &#8220;up for what America is and what she should be.&#8221;
&#8220;I saw a lot of rumors online today that I&#8217;m going to cancel some sort of college tour. That&#8217;s bullshit. I saw those rumors. They are false. I will be coming to college campuses, many of them this year,&#8221; Shapiro said. &#8220;So will we all, I am sure, because we are Americans. And we&#8217;re not going to be deterred.&#8221;
&#8220;Charlie&#8217;s voice is not silent. We&#8217;re going to pick up that blood-stained microphone where Charlie left it,&#8221; Shapiro added. &#8220;And to those who would intimidate, who would seek to stop us, who would seek to end free discussion, who believe that they have ownership over public spaces and can violently threaten and kill people who speak freely, we are not going to stop. And I have two words: fuck you.&#8221;
&#8220;We will not stop telling the truth. We will never stop telling the truth,&#8221; the Daily Wire editor emeritus continued. &#8220;We will never stop debating and discussing. We will never stop standing up for what America is and for what she should be. And we will never let Charlie Kirk&#8217;s voice die.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
We will never stop debating and discussing.
We will never stop standing up for what America is and what she should be.
And we will never let Charlie’s voice die.
To those who would stop us, I have two words: FUCK YOU. <a href="https://t.co/Ub2qYY8Zb2">pic.twitter.com/Ub2qYY8Zb2</a>
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) <a href="https://twitter.com/benshapiro/status/1966191886177361972?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 11, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Walsh also remained undeterred from speaking the truth after Kirk&#8217;s assassination, adding that the &#8220;evil gloating&#8221; of Kirk&#8217;s enemies following his killing &#8220;are accolades in their own right.&#8221;
&#8220;May we all be so successful and productive that our enemies celebrate when we die,&#8221; he said. &#8220;May we all be so devastating to the leftist project that they long for our demise. May we all fight so hard and so effectively that they have no choice but to try to kill us. May our lives be a problem for these people, and our deaths a relief.&#8221;
&#8220;Let them dance on my grave as they did on Charlie&#8217;s, then I will know that I did my duty,&#8221; Walsh continued, saying that even through Kirk&#8217;s smile and respectful debate, he was a &#8220;devastating fighter.&#8221;
&#8220;And his opponents are overjoyed because they think that they&#8217;ve gotten rid of him, but they&#8217;re wrong. They have gravely misjudged the situation. The only thing more powerful than a living fighter is a martyred one,&#8221; he said.
&#8220;I want to be very clear that we will not back down after this. We will not shrink away or go into hiding. We will not fall silent. We will not walk in fear. We will stand taller and prouder than we ever have, and be louder and bolder than we&#8217;ve ever been, and fight harder than we&#8217;ve ever fought.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/MattWalshBlog?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MattWalshBlog</a> on Charlie Kirk&#8217;s lasting legacy and the &#8220;rodents&#8221; who are celebrating his death:
&#8220;May we all be so devastating to the leftist project that they long for our demise. May we all fight so hard and so effectively that they have no choice but to try to kill us.&#8221; <a href="https://t.co/NiXLpmCRfN">pic.twitter.com/NiXLpmCRfN</a>
— Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDailyWire/status/1966234897737199760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 11, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Ben Shapiro Vows To ‘Pick up That Blood-Stained Microphone Where Charlie Left It’

Matt Walsh

The women of “The View” are known for delusional takes, but when it came to discussing the assassination of Charlie Kirk, they displayed a remarkable amount of restraint and introspection, for once.
Panelist Whoopi Goldberg began by calling the shooting “beyond devastating.”
“Our hearts, of course, go out to the family of Charlie Kirk,” she added, praising “politicians from both sides of the aisle” who spoke out “against the violence” and “urged Americans to come together” in the wake of the tragedy.
“Isn’t a fundamental part of being an American is that we’re able to express our opinions to each other without fear and this kind of horror happening?” Goldberg went on. “It seems to be something we’ve been seeing more and more of. It’s not even Left or Right. It’s just people being taken out because of their beliefs or their thoughts.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Some of what The View had to say about Charlie Kirk&#8217;s assassination:
ALYSSA FARAH GRIFFIN: I hope it doesn&#8217;t have a chilling effect whether you&#8217;re left or right on your ability to speak your mind. I know the one thing we all agree about on this table, we all share our… <a href="https://t.co/i7eNIuMfx7">pic.twitter.com/i7eNIuMfx7</a>
— Nicholas Fondacaro (@NickFondacaro) <a href="https://twitter.com/NickFondacaro/status/1966168993850446087?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 11, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
“Regardless of your politics, we’ve got to get to a place in this country where we see people we disagree with not as our enemies, but as fellow Americans with different viewpoints that we need to engage,” co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin chimed in.
She said Kirk was an “incredibly influential young activist on the Right” and that his death “is going to hit young Republicans really hard because he made them feel like when they were the lone conservative voice on campus, one of the only Republicans, that it was okay to speak up and say their viewpoints.”
Sarah Haines said, &#8220;He&#8217;d talk to people openly, who disagreed. So the irony of being violently killed while saying those words of what we need more of in this country, I know all of us agree on that part. There&#8217;s never a place for political violence.&#8221;
The tone of all the panelists was somber as they discussed the assassination.
“I can’t believe that someone would kill another person because they were speaking their beliefs. This is antithetical to who we are as Americans. The First Amendment is the First Amendment for a reason. We should be able to voice whatever opinions we have,” Sunny Hostin chimed in.
Goldberg ended the segment with instructions for viewers going forward. 
“All the things we’ve seen — the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, the aggressiveness when they went after Paul Pelosi, the couple in Minnesota — this is not the way we do it,” she said. “We say this every time, but, somehow, it’s not resonating, and I hope that young Republicans never forget that they have voice. They have a voice. We all have voices. We should never ever be afraid. It’s beyond, beyond. And Charlie Kirk’s assassin is still at large.”

Whoopi Goldberg

‘The View’ Reacts To Charlie Kirk Assassination: ‘Antithetical To Who We Are As Americans’

'The View' Reacts To Charlie Kirk Assassination: 'Antithetical To Who We Are As Americans'

Entertainment

Television

The View

United States

Menu