Trump blames ‘radical left’ for killing of ally Charlie Kirk, as manhunt continues

US President Donald Trump has blamed the “radical left” after well-known right-wing activist Charlie Kirk was shot dead at a university in Utah. 

Kirk, 31, was fielding questions about gun violence at an outdoor event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah at midday on Wednesday.

The event was attended by 3,000 people.

Graphic footage shared widely on social media shows blood gushing from Kirk’s neck after a single gun shot was fired, before the commentator slumps back into his chair. 

“For years, those on the radical left have compared wonderful Americans like Charlie to Nazis and the world's worst mass murderers and criminals," Trump said in an address from the White House, hours after Kirk’s death. 

“This kind of rhetoric is directly responsible for the terrorism that we're seeing in our country today.

"My administration will find each and every one of those who contributed to this atrocity, and to other political violence, including the organisations that fund it and support it."

'Political assassination'

Police and federal agents continued a manhunt on Thursday. There are no suspects currently in custody. 

Initially, state police issued a statement on Wednesday night stating that two men had been detained, but both were later released. 

"There are no current ties to the shooting with either of these individuals," the statement said. "There is an ongoing investigation and manhunt for the shooter."

Candace Owens and the media war Israel has sparked among US conservatives

Read More »

The Utah Department of Public Safety said the shooter, dressed in dark clothing, fired from a nearby rooftop. 

Utah Governor Spencer Cox, a Republican, called the killing a "political assassination". The killing was condemned by figures from across the political spectrum. 

Kirk was an influential right-wing figure in US politics, with many crediting him for powering Trump’s support with younger voters. 

He co-founded Turning Point USA in 2012 to drive right-wing viewpoints among younger people. 

He also used his large social media platforms to express anti-immigration views, support for gun ownership and anti-Palestinian views, among many other topics and policy areas. 

Kirk often published carefully edited clips of interactions with students during debates he held on college campuses. 

The shooting comes at a time of sustained political violence in the US. 

Reuters documented over 300 cases of politically motivated violent acts since supporters of Trump attacked the US Capitol on 6 January 2021.

Trump himself survived two assassination attempts, including one that left him with a grazed ear during a campaign event in July 2024. 

Kirk's killing came three months after a Minnesota man shot dead a Democratic lawmaker and her husband in their home.