Former President Donald Trump revealed that his youngest son, Barron, has been deeply affected by the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA was shot dead during a speaking event at Utah Valley University, moments after responding to a question about mass shootings.
The attack, captured on video by attendees, spread rapidly across social media and sparked outrage across the political spectrum. The FBI quickly launched a manhunt, later releasing footage of a suspect fleeing from a rooftop. A rifle and ammunition were later recovered in nearby woods, and by Friday Trump confirmed during a Fox News interview that a suspect had been taken into custody.
Trump shared how the tragedy struck close to home, recalling Barron’s admiration for Kirk. “Barron’s a very good student, and he came to me one day and said he wanted to meet Charlie Kirk. I set up a lunch for them. He came back and said, ‘That guy’s great, Dad.’ Charlie had a kind of magic over kids—it didn’t matter who they were, he connected with them,” Trump said.
“He was very hurt when he saw this,” Trump added, emphasizing the personal loss felt by his family. The shooting not only rattled political circles but also highlighted the deep, personal connections Kirk had built—even touching the Trump household.