Morning Note

Tragedy struck on Wednesday when an assassin murdered Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk at a speaking event at Utah Valley University. 

Footage of the shooting is widely available online. It is not included in this newsletter, and we do not recommend watching it. A gunshot rang out as Kirk fielded what was supposed to be one of the day’s many audience questions, and he fell from his chair nearly instantly after being struck. His soul vanished from his face. The crime had thousands of witnesses.

“All of a sudden, out of nowhere, there was this loud bang, just one shot, bang,” a spectator recalled. “And I saw him hit in the neck, and I saw red gushing blood out of it.”

Political violence is always reprehensible, but something about this case is particularly egregious. Charlie didn’t die in pursuit of power or elected office; all he did was encourage debate. That’s what America is supposed to be all about.

Charlie Kirk was 31 years old. He leaves behind his wife, Erika, and two young children. Keep them in your prayers.

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The identity of Charlie Kirk’s killer remains unknown. Law enforcement’s manhunt has yielded two suspects, both of whom authorities quickly released after interrogation. 

“We initially took in George Zinn as a suspect. He was later released and charged with obstruction by UVU police,” the Utah Department of Public Safety said in a statement. “A second suspect, Zachariah Qureshi, was taken into custody and released after interrogation with law enforcement. There are no current ties to the shooting with either of these individuals. There is an ongoing investigation and manhunt for the shooter.”

Investigators believe the killer fired the fatal shot from the roof of a building roughly 200 yards from his target. Apparent footage of the assassin in position for the crime emerged shortly after Kirk’s death. It does not reveal a face or an identity. 

The FBI asks anyone with information about the shooting to reach out through this tip line.

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Donald Trump addressed the nation in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s murder on Wednesday, releasing a direct-to-camera video from the Oval Office offering his condolences and support.

"Charlie inspired millions, and tonight all who knew him and loved him are united in shock and horror," he said. “He 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. He’s a martyr for truth and freedom, and there’s never been anyone who was so respected by youth.”

Trump also warned about the dangers of extreme political rhetoric that fuels these kinds of crimes, saying that “it’s long past time for all Americans and the media to confront the fact that violence and murder are the tragic consequence of demonizing those with whom you disagree.”

Read more here and watch the president’s remarks here.

JD Vance had a close relationship with Charlie Kirk. The Turning Point USA founder was the one who introduced him to the Trump campaign team. 

Vance shared a deeply personal remembrance of Kirk on X last night, offering a glimpse into the gunned-down activist’s influence in the conservative movement and the president’s inner circle. 

"Charlie was one of the first people I called when I thought about running for senate in early 2021. We talked through everything, from the strategy to the fundraising to the grassroots of the movement he knew so well,” the vice president wrote. “He introduced me to some of the people who would run my campaign and also to Donald Trump Jr."

"When I became the VP nominee—something Charlie advocated for both in public and private—Charlie was there for me… Charlie was constantly calling and texting, checking on our family and offering guidance and prayers," he added.

Read Vance’s full post here.

MSNBC’s live coverage of the Charlie Kirk shooting featured a man named Michael Dowd. He attacked the victim as he fought for his life.

Kirk has been "one of the most divisive, especially divisive younger figures in this, who is constantly sort of pushing this sort of hate speech or sort of aimed at certain groups,” Dowd ranted on-air. “And I always go back to, hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions… You can’t stop with these sort of awful thoughts you have, and then saying these awful words, and not expect awful actions to take place.”

For disagreeing with the left, Kirk should have expected to get shot? What a truly sick thing to say. MSNBC fired Dowd after he made his comments.

Read more.

Turning Point USA released a brief statement following the murder of Charlie Kirk, willing that “he be received into the merciful arms of our loving Savior, who suffered and died for Charlie.”

Kirk founded Turning Point in 2012, when he was only 18 years old. It aims to empower students to run for office and build support for conservative values on campus and beyond. He transformed the organization from a no-name start-up to one of the most influential entities in American politics. There is a serious case to be made that Donald Trump could not have won in November without Charlie and Turning Point’s work. That is likely one of the reasons his shooter took him out.

The group has yet to address what its future holds.

Read more.

“If you disagree with me, please come to the front of the line.”

That was Charlie Kirk’s message as he traveled the country engaging Americans in healthy political discourse. Not only did he want to speak with people with whom he disagreed, he wanted to speak with them first. Unlike many other ideologues, Kirk did not crave an echo chamber or to cast out those with opposing views. He was one of the strongest and most persistent voices in Donald Trump’s orbit arguing against neocon foreign policy. He sincerely loved the president, but he wasn’t afraid to confront him in the Oval Office over the bombing of Iran. He felt it was his duty. Like our Founders, he genuinely believed in the free marketplace of ideas. 

His killer did not. Rather than having the courage to respectfully confront Charlie about their differences of opinion, Wednesday’s murderer took the cowardly way out. There is nothing cunning about silencing your enemy; it is intellectual surrender. The only reason to do so is if you know his ideas topple yours, and you fear your fellow citizens taking his side. Would John Wilkes Booth have shot Lincoln if he thought the future of slavery was strong? Of course not. There would have been no point.

Kirk would have welcomed his assassin to pick up a microphone and join yesterday’s event. He sat under a tent displaying the words “PROVE ME WRONG” during his final lucid moments. That wasn’t just a slogan; it was an invitation. He wanted to hear differing viewpoints because he had an open mind. He knew that thoughtful exchange is good for humanity. 

You know what isn’t? Political violence. The execution of this young father for daring to encourage debate is one of the ugliest developments in our country’s history. Charlie wasn’t just a bright thinker and accomplished businessman. He was a son, a father, a husband, and a patriotic American. He didn’t deserve the fate he met in Utah. We pray this isn’t the beginning of something greater.