(The Center Square) – The assassination of conservative giant Charlie Kirk has sent shock waves across the political sphere and around the globe, with political leaders on both sides of the aisle and international leaders reacting to the tragedy, some describing him as a “martyr” for free speech.
President Donald Trump, a friend of Kirk’s, led the tributes by issuing a proclamation ordering flags to fly at half-staff until sundown, Sept. 14. The White House released a video statement from the president in the Oval Office late Wednesday evening, with Trump declaring Kirk a “martyr for truth and freedom.”
The president called the assassination a “dark moment for America.”
“Charlie was a patriot who devoted his life to the cause of open debate and the country that he loved so much, the United States of America. He fought for liberty, democracy, justice and the American people,” Trump said.
It was Trump himself who officially announced the death of the 31-year-old activist after being shot during a college campus event in Utah on Wednesday.
Kirk’s death prompted former Democratic Presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Joe Biden to condemn the act of violence, while sending prayers to the grieving Kirk family.
“I’m saddened and angered by Charlie Kirk’s murder. And I hope we all go through some serious introspection and redouble our efforts to engage in debate passionately, yet peacefully. Hillary and I are keeping Erika, their two young children, and their family in our prayers,” Clinton posted to X.
“We don’t yet know what motivated the person who shot and killed Charlie Kirk, but this kind of despicable violence has no place in our democracy. Michelle and I will be praying for Charlie’s family tonight, especially his wife Erika and their two young children,” Obama posted to X.
“There is no place in our country for this kind of violence. It must end now. Jill and I are praying for Charlie Kirk’s family and loved ones,” Biden posted to X.
Former President George W. Bush released a statement, calling for civility in the wake of Kirk’s slaying.
“Today, a young man was murdered in cold blood while expressing his political views. It happened on a college campus, where the open exchange of opposing ideas should be sacrosanct. Violence and vitriol must be purged from the political square. Members of other political parties are not our enemies; they are our fellow citizens. May God bless Charlie Kirk and his family, and may God guide America towards civility,” Bush said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Kirk as a friend of Israel, adding that the two had spoken recently.
“Charlie Kirk was murdered for speaking truth and defending freedom. A lion-hearted friend of Israel, he fought the lies and stood tall for Judeo-Christian civilization. I spoke to him only two weeks ago and invited him to Israel. Sadly, that visit will not take place. We lost an incredible human being. His boundless pride in America and his valiant belief in free speech will leave a lasting impact,” Netanyahu posted to X.
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson issued a strong condemnation of the shooting.
“The murder of Charlie Kirk is a tragedy, and a sign of the utter desperation and cowardice of those who could not defeat him in argument. Charlie Kirk has been killed not for espousing extremist views — because he didn’t. He has been killed for saying things that used to be simple common sense. He has been killed because he had the courage to stand up publicly for reasonable opinions held by millions and millions of ordinary people both in the US and Britain. The world has a shining new martyr to free speech,” Johnson posted to X.
In addition to political and international leaders paying tribute to Kirk, the New York Yankees honored him before a game on Wednesday afternoon. As part of the remembrance of the 24th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, Trump is scheduled to attend a Yankees game on Thursday.
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