'Devastated' Trump believed Charlie Kirk could have been president someday: 'Such a talented guy'

Trump reached out to congratulate CNBC's Joe Kernen on the 30th anniversary of 'Squawk Box', but the conversation soon turned to Charlie Kirk
PUBLISHED SEP 12, 2025
Donald Trump mourned Charlie Kirk in a private call with CNBC's Joe Kernen (Getty Images)
Donald Trump mourned Charlie Kirk in a private call with CNBC's Joe Kernen (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: 'Squawk Box' host Joe Kernen revealed on Thursday, September 11, that President Donald Trump called him off the set and shared his sorrow over the conservative activist Charlie Kirk's shooting death. 

Kernen said Trump also used the opportunity to congratulate him on the 30th anniversary of 'Squawk Box' while reflecting on the events of the last 24 hours.



 

Trump congratulates Joe Kernen on 'Squawk Box' milestone

During his call, as per Joe Kernen, Donald Trump first focused on acknowledging the CNBC program’s long run.

Kernen said the president made a point of offering his congratulations to the team behind the morning show.

U.S. President Donald Trump walks out of the Oval Office before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House on June 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump is traveling to Bedminster, New Jersey. (Photo by Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump walks out of the Oval Office before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House on June 20, 2025, in Washington, DC (Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)

“When I left the set […] President Trump actually called in, and I figured I’d take that call. ‘Happy anniversary. Happy 30 years.’ He loves what we do. Yeah, loves what we do every morning. Said, make sure you tell Becky [Quick] and Andrew [Ross Sorkin] that he loves what you do,” Kernen said.

Trump praises Charlie Kirk

After congratulating Joe Kernen, Donald Trump shifted the conversation to Charlie Kirk’s death.

According to Kernen, the MAGA leader expressed deep sadness while also sharing how much Kirk had supported him politically.

“And he’s devastated about Charlie Kirk and said that what a guy, what a great individual and he said he helped him greatly in the last election and thinks that Charlie Kirk could have been president some day, he was such a talented guy,” Kernen said.

Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk speaks during a campaign rally for Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump at Desert Diamond Arena on August 23, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. The rally, held in partnership with Turning Point PAC and Turning Point Action, comes come two weeks after Democratic presidential nominee U.S. Vice President Harris held a rally at the same location. (Photo by Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)
Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk speaks during a campaign rally for President Donald Trump at Desert Diamond Arena on August 23, 2024, in Glendale, Arizona (Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)

The CNBC host added, “Then he went on to say the country will heal, he’s focused on what he has been focused on and he says ‘I’m focused on winning, if the country wins and if I do everything I can to help the country win, that we’re all going to be able to come together again.’ So that was his message.”

Trump orders flags at half-staff in honor of Charlie Kirk

Following the news of Charlie Kirk’s killing, Donald Trump made several public statements paying tribute. He also announced a national gesture of mourning.

“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 wrote on Truth Social.



 

"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!” the commander-in-chief added.

In another post, he wrote, “In honor of Charlie Kirk, a truly Great American Patriot, I am ordering all American Flags throughout the United States lowered to Half Mast until Sunday evening at 6 P.M.”



 

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