Donald Trump calls Charlie Kirk a ‘martyr’, blames radical left for terrorism, assassination

US President Donald Trump has issued a damning address from the Oval Office after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, saying the radical left is responsible for the terrorism seen in the United States.

Kirk, 31, was a close ally of Mr Trump, playing an instrumental role in garnering support with younger Americans.

He founded Turning Point USA, a non-profit organisation advocating conservative politics through events at schools and universities, and hosted the Turning Point USA podcast.

Remembering Kirk, Mr Trump said the MAGA heavy-weight was a “martyr for truth”.

“I am filled with grief and anger at the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk on a college campus in Utah,” Mr Trump said.

“Charlie inspired millions and tonight all who knew him and loved him are united in shock and horror.

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Mr Trump described Kirk as a “patriot, who devoted his life to the cause of open debate and the country that he loved so much”

“He fought for liberty, democracy, justice, and the American people.

“He’s a martyr for truth and freedom, and there’s never been anyone who was so respected by youth.”

Mr Trump celebrated Kirk’s faith, saying he took comfort in the knowledge that he is “now at peace with God in heaven”.

“Our prayers are with his wife, Erica, the two young, beloved children, and his entire family, who he loved more than anything in the world. We ask God to watch over them in this terrible hour of heartache and pain.

The US President said the assassination of Kirk was “a dark moment for America”.

“His mission was to bring young people into the political process, which he did better than anybody ever. to share his love of country and to spread the simple words of common sense,” Mr Trump continues.

“On campuses nationwide, he championed his ideas with courage, logic, humour, and grace.”

Mr Trump accused radical left of comparing “wonderful Americans Like Charlie to nazis and the world’s worst mass murderers”, demanding a stop to political violence and dangerous rhetoric.

“It’s a long past time for all Americans and the media to confront the fact that violence and murder are the tragic consequence of demonising those with whom you disagree day after day, year after year, in the most hateful and despicable way possible,” Mr Trump said.

“For years, those on the radical left have compared wonderful Americans like Charlie to Nazis and the world’s worst mass murderers and criminals.

“This kind of rhetoric is directly responsible for the terrorism that we’re seeing in our country today, and it must stop right now.”

Mr Trump said his Administration will find “each and every one of those who contributed to this atrocity”, adding that he will also go after others who engage in political violence or those who go after US judges, law enforcers and “everyone else who brings order” to the United States.

“From the attack on my life in Butler, Pennsylvania, last year, which killed a husband and father, to the attacks on ICE agents, to the vicious murder of a healthcare executive in the streets of New York, to the shooting of House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and three others, radical left political violence has hurt too many innocent people and taken too many lives.”

The US President said through the assassination of Kirk, his voice and message was now louder.

“Tonight I ask all Americans to commit themselves to the American values for which Charlie Kirk lived and died,” he said.

“The values of free speech, citizenship, the rule of law, and the patriotic devotion and love of God. Charlie was the best of America and the monster who attacked him was attacking our whole country.“An assassin tried to silence him with a bullet, but he failed because together we will ensure that his voice, his message, and his legacy will live on for countless generations to come.

“Today, because of this heinous act, Charlie’s voice has become bigger and grander than ever before.

“May God bless his memory. May God watch over his family. And may God bless the United States of America.”