Donald Trump has suggested that Charlie Kirk, who tragically lost his life after being shot in the neck, could have been a future president of the USA.
Charlie Kirk, a 31 year old conservative activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was a close ally and personal friend of Trump’s , according to multiple reports.
Kirk was struck by a bullet in the neck while speaking at Utah Valley University. The news emerges as a report outlines what to know about Charlie Kirk’s wife Erika after brutal shooting.
During a ceremony on Thursday at the Pentagon to honour the victims of 9/11, Trump revealed his plans to posthumously award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
CNBC anchor Joe Kernen said the president reached out to him over a separate issue when he shared his opinion that Kirk could have been president one day, reports the Mirror.
Kernan stated: “He’s devastated about Charlie Kirk and said that what a guy, what a great individual and he said he helped him greatly in the last election and thinks that Charlie Kirk could have been president some day. He was such a talented guy. Then he went on to say the country will heal, he’s focused on what he has been focused on.”
Speaking at the Pentagon event, Trump said: “Before we begin, let me express the horror and grief so many Americans at the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk have felt. Charlie was a giant of his generation, a champion of liberty and an inspiration to millions and millions of people. Our prayers are with his wonderful wife, Erika, and his beautiful children.”
The Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honour in the US, is awarded by the President. Turning Point USA has released a statement about its founder Charlie Kirk following his tragic assassination.
The organisation described Kirk as having “an overwhelming passion for life” and a “deep belief in his power as an individual to make a difference.”
The statement continued: “Charlie refused to squander a single day of his life. He was a natural builder and problem solver, who loved a challenge and saw every setback as a chance to learn, grow, pray and try again.”
In the aftermath of the shooting, classes have been suspended at three historically black universities due to threats. Alabama State University, Hampton University and Virginia State University have all received campus threats.
Classes have been cancelled at Hampton and Alabama, while Virginia State University has gone into lockdown.
Senators in Washington DC were alerted to an incident at the Democratic National Committee. However, this threat was later deemed to “not be credible” by Capitol Police.
Vice President JD Vance, another close friend of Kirk’s, travelled to Utah a day after the assassination to pay tribute to Kirk. He also reportedly plans to accompany Kirk’s casket and his wife Erika aboard Air Force Two to Arizona on Thursday.