'It was relating to Trump': Roommate reveals Robinson's political rants before Charlie Kirk shooting

PROVO, UTAH: Testimony in the preliminary hearing of Tyler Robinson, the man accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk, shifted attention to his political views on Thursday, July 9, after prosecutors played an interview in which Robinson's roommate said discussions about politics were usually centered on President Donald Trump rather than Kirk himself.

The testimony came as jurors were also shown text messages that prosecutors argue directly tie Robinson to the fatal shooting.

Lance Twiggs claims Tyler Robinson discussed Trump

Investigators asked Lance Twiggs, Robinson's roommate and lover, whether the two had frequently discussed Charlie Kirk or broader political issues before the September 10 shooting.

Twiggs said Kirk's name had never come up in their conversations.

When questioned about topics such as gender identity or LGBTQ rights, he responded that those subjects rarely surfaced either.

Instead, he testified that Robinson's political discussions generally focused on Trump and issues dominating national politics.

"Usually if he did talk about politics stuff, it was relating to Trump or current policies being issued or voted on, I think," Twiggs told investigators in the interview played before the court.

Tyler Robinson's explosive text messages revealed

The hearing also featured photographs of text exchanges recovered from Twiggs' phone that prosecutors say captured Robinson speaking about the shooting shortly after it happened.

According to the messages read in court, Robinson allegedly apologized for involving his roommate and claimed he had hoped to keep what happened secret for the rest of his life.

When Twiggs asked whether Robinson was responsible for the attack, prosecutors said Robinson acknowledged the shooting and described difficulties retrieving a rifle he claimed to have hidden after fleeing the scene.

The messages further suggested he believed investigators had initially questioned the wrong person and had not yet recovered the firearm.

During the conversation, Twiggs also asked why Robinson had carried out the attack.

According to the messages presented in court, Robinson allegedly responded by saying he had grown tired of Kirk's rhetoric.

"I had enough of his hatred," prosecutors say Robinson wrote.

Prosecutors read one exchange in which Robinson allegedly wrote that "some hate can't be negotiated out" while explaining his actions.

Another message indicated the alleged planning had begun more than a week before the shooting.

Handwritten note introduced as evidence

The prosecution also introduced testimony about a handwritten note allegedly left behind by Robinson.

Twiggs testified that he had discovered the note, photographed it, and then returned it to the desk before authorities became involved.

According to prosecutors, the note contained a statement in which Robinson allegedly admitted he had taken the opportunity to kill Charlie Kirk.

Robinson, 23, faces aggravated murder charges in connection with Kirk's September 10 killing at Utah Valley University. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.