Donald Trump has revealed that his youngest son, Barron, has been deeply affected by the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was shot dead Wednesday during a speaking event at Utah Valley University. The attack occurred just moments after he had answered a question about mass shootings in the United States.
Because Kirk’s events often attracted large audiences, several attendees were filming when the gunfire began. Those videos spread rapidly across social media, sparking shock, outrage, and condemnation from both political parties.
The FBI quickly launched a manhunt, later releasing surveillance footage that showed a suspect climbing down from a rooftop near the university before fleeing across a parking lot. Authorities also recovered a rifle and ammunition wrapped in a blanket in nearby woods.
By Friday, Trump announced live on Fox News that a suspect had been captured. He described the moment as a relief but emphasized how much Kirk’s death had shaken his own family.
“Barron’s a very good student, and he came to me one day and said he wanted to meet Charlie Kirk,” Trump recalled. “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—diverse kids, Black, white—it didn’t matter. He connected with them.”
Trump said Barron was “very hurt” when he learned of the killing. The former president stressed that Kirk’s ability to inspire young people was a rare gift, and losing him has left a deep personal mark.
The shooting has not only shaken political circles but also underscored the personal bonds Kirk built across generations—including within the Trump family.
Rest in peace, Charlie Kirk.