Trump says Charlie Kirk’s killing impacted him terribly, calls his death 'hard to believe'
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump has revealed how the death of Charlie Kirk changed him personally and permanently, reflecting on the tragedy in a new sit-down interview with the Washington Examiner.
Speaking candidly about the emotional impact and the dramatic shift in how he approaches campaigning, Trump admitted that the loss of the Turning Point USA founder altered everything from his confidence at public events to the logistics of massive outdoor rallies he was once famous for.
The Republican leader also discussed the two assassination attempts made on him, saying the era of sprawling outdoor spectacles may be over as he enters a heightened security reality.
Trump says he misses outdoor rallies but cannot ignore new security limits
Donald Trump reflected nostalgically on the intense final stretch of the 2024 campaign.
“The outdoor rallies. I love them, but I probably have to be careful,” he said. “It’s hard. The indoor rallies you can do.”
He recalled how relentless the pace had been.
“The last four months were perfect. No days off, no nothing. I did either rallies, sometimes they did two rallies in a day. But in the last week, I’d do four or five rallies in a day. We had rallies at 8 o’clock in the morning. At 11 o’clock. At 1 o’clock. It was crazy. The only thing I was worried about was, will I lose my voice.”
Trump thought people 'must be wrong' about Charlie Kirk’s fatal shooting
When asked how the killing of Charlie Kirk affected him, the president didn’t hold back.
“It impacted me terribly,” Trump said. “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. And then when you saw the viciousness of it, but I don’t want to look at that. I mean, I got the whole picture.”
Trump said he always recognized something “special” in the Turning Point USA founder.
“He had a mystique. He had something special over the young people attracted to him,” the POTUS said. “It was just hard to believe. 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.”
Details of Charlie Kirk's killing continue to unfold
Charlie Kirk was fatally shot on September 10 while addressing college students at the University of Utah.
Tyler Robinson, 22, was arrested and charged with his murder, reportedly confessing not only to his family but also in messages he sent in a Discord group chat shortly after the attack.
Utah authorities have pointed to evidence showing Robinson had been deeply involved in left-wing ideology. At the time of the murder, he was reportedly in a relationship with his transgender roommate, Lance Twiggs.
During an October hearing, a judge ruled that Robinson could appear in civilian clothing for trial, after the defense claimed that wearing prison attire would undermine his right to a fair trial.
Robinson’s lawyers are also pushing to block cameras from the courtroom, arguing it could turn the proceedings into a “content tornado.” A final decision has not yet been issued.
Erika Kirk demands transparency and cameras in the courtroom
Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk’s widow, strongly opposes removing cameras from the trial.
“There were cameras all over my husband when he was murdered,” she said. “There have been cameras all over my friends and family mourning. There have been cameras all over me, analyzing my every move. Analyzing my every smile, my every tear. Why not be transparent? There’s nothing to hide. I know there’s not because I’ve seen what the case is built on — let everyone see what true evil is.”
