Trump responds to Charlie Kirk shooting: 'Loved and admired by ALL'

President Donald Trump offered his condolences to the Kirk family after announcing that Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk had died after the conservative figure was shot in Utah. 

"The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead," Trump said in a social media post on Wednesday. "No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!"

Earlier on Wednesday, Trump called for prayers for Kirk, and described him as a "great guy." 

CHARLIE KIRK SHOT AT UTAH EVENT, HOSPITALIZED

"We must all pray for Charlie Kirk, who has been shot. A great guy from top to bottom. GOD BLESS HIM!" Trump posted to Truth Social on Wednesday afternoon. 

Kirk was in Utah and was scheduled to appear at Utah Valley University on Wednesday as part of his American Comeback Tour. 

Kirk's spokesperson originally confirmed that "Charlie Kirk has been shot at Utah Valley University. Condition unknown."

Trump administration officials stretching from Vice President JD Vance to FBI Director Kash Patel offered an outpouring of concern and support to Kirk on social media on Wednesday afternoon. 

CHARLIE KIRK SHOOTING SPARKS OUTPOURING OF PRAYERS, OUTRAGE ON CAPITOL HILL

"Dear God, protect Charlie in his darkest hour," Vance posted, accompanied by a photo of him with Kirk and other Trump allies. 

"Say a prayer for Charlie Kirk, a genuinely good guy and a young father," Vance wrote in an earlier X post. 

"We are closely monitoring reports of the tragic shooting involving Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University. Our thoughts are with Charlie, his loved ones, and everyone affected. Agents will be on the scene quickly and the FBI stands in full support of the ongoing response and investigation," Patel posted on X. 

"FBI and ATF agents are on the scene. PRAY FOR CHARLIE," Attorney General Pam Bondi posted. 

A White House official told Fox News that the situation room and NSA Rubio were actively engaged and monitoring the shooting and were in contact with state officials.

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Kirk is the founder of Turning Point USA, a nonprofit that promotes conservative ideology for youths, especially on college campuses. Kirk had long been an ally of Trump's and recently joined a White House event in May, when interim U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C. Jeanine Pirro was sworn into her role, photos show.