Trump say he wants supporters to respond with 'nonviolence' to Charlie Kirk's killing ALEXANDRA HUTZLER and HANNAH DEMISSIESeptember 12, 2025 at 4:38 AM 50 President Donald Trump on Thursday voiced concern for the country in the wake of the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, and said he ...
- - Trump say he wants supporters to respond with 'nonviolence' to Charlie Kirk's killing
ALEXANDRA HUTZLER and HANNAH DEMISSIESeptember 12, 2025 at 4:38 AM
50
President Donald Trump on Thursday voiced concern for the country in the wake of the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, and said he wanted his supporters to respond with "nonviolence."
Trump was asked if he's worried for his own safety in the wake of Wednesday's fatal shooting of Kirk as he left the White House for New York on Thursday afternoon.
"Not really," the president responded. "I'm really concerned for our country. We have a great country. We have a radical left group of lunatics out there, just absolute lunatics, and we're going to get that problem solved. I'm only concerned for the country."
Trump was also pressed on how he wants his supporters to respond, as tensions remain high in Washington and around the country.
"He was an advocate of nonviolence. That's the way I'd like to see people respond," Trump said.
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Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters - PHOTO: President Donald Trump speaks to the media before boarding Marine One upon departure for New York, in Washington, D.C., Sept. 11, 2025.
Kirk, a close ally of Trump and a friend to many in the administration, was shot during an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. Trump later that day announced his death.
A manhunt for Kirk's killer is underway. The FBI said on Thursday it has recovered what is believed to be the weapon used by the shooter, and officials said the suspect is believed to be a college-aged individual. Authorities also released images of a person of interest and offered a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of the person responsible for Kirk's murder.
Trump was asked if he was concerned that authorities have not yet apprehended the person who killed Charlie Kirk, now more than 24 hours after the shooting.
"Well, I hear they're making big progress, and we'll have to see what happens," Trump said.
Trump also said he has "an indication" about the motive behind the shooting but didn't share more, only telling reporters, "We'll let you know about that later."
Trump said he spoke to Kirk's wife, Erika, and that she was "absolutely devastated." Kirk is survived by his wife and their two young children.
Earlier in the day, Trump announced he will posthumously award Kirk with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
"Charlie was a giant of his generation, a champion of liberty and an inspiration to millions and millions of people," Trump said at the top of his remarks at a memorial event at the Pentagon to commemorate the anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images - PHOTO: Donald Trump and Melania Trump attend a September 11th observance event in the courtyard of the Pentagon September 11, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia.
The White House moved Thursday's 9/11 ceremony at the Pentagon into the courtyard, away from the 9/11 memorial where the somber ceremony has been held for decades, in light of Kirk's killing.
"We miss him greatly, yet I have no doubt that Charlie's voice and courage put into the hearts of countless people, especially young people, will live on," the president said in those remarks.
MORE: Political violence in US mirrors 1960s turmoil, historian warns after Charlie Kirk shooting
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award in the U.S. Trump said that the day of the ceremony would be announced soon, adding he thought it would surely draw a big crowd.
Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance were to meet with Kirk's family and a number of his close friends in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Thursday, a source confirmed to ABC News.
Alex Wroblewski/Pool via Reuters - PHOTO: Vice President JD Vance speaks to the press after paying his respects to victims of the Annunciation Catholic Church shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota, September 3, 2025.
Kirk's casket, along with his family and friends, was then going to be flown to Phoenix, Arizona, aboard Air Force Two, the source also confirmed.
Vance mourned Kirk in a long social media post, in which he described Kirk as a "true friend."
"The kind of guy you could say something to and know it would always stay with him," Vance wrote on X. "I am on more than a few group chats with Charlie and people he introduced me to over the years. We celebrate weddings and babies, bust each other's chops, and mourn the loss of loved ones. We talk about politics and policy and sports and life. These group chats include people at the very highest level of our government. They trusted him, loved him, and knew he'd always have their backs."
Source: "AOL Politics"
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