Barack Obama Describes Charlie Kirk’s Murder As Despicable, Public Figures Unite To Condemn Killing
- Former President Barack Obama has weighed in on the killing of Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk
- The 31-year-old American right-wing political activist was shot dead while speaking at a university in Utah in the United States
- Public figures from the United Kingdom and the US condemned the killing, which has been classified as a political assassination
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Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.
USA – Former President of the United States of America, Barack Obama, has described the murder of Charlie Kirk as despicable.
Obama, the 44th President of the US, was just one of many public figures who have condemned the attack. Kirk, the 31-year-old American right-wing political activist, author, and media personality, was fatally shot while speaking at a university in Utah on Wednesday, 10 September.
Kirk, who co-founded the conservative organisation, Turning Point USA, was a key ally of Donald Trump. Trump himself survived a similar attempt on his life on 14 July 2025.
While no suspect has yet been arrested and the motive for Kirk's murder is unknown, it has been described as a political assassination.
Source: Getty Images
How did Obama respond?
Taking to social media to share his thoughts on the matter, Obama, a Democrat, said that there was no place in democracy for such acts of violence.
You can view his full tweet below.
Obama was not the only public figure to weigh in on the tragedy. Numerous current and former political heavyweights in the US and abroad weighed in on the killing,
British Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, described the death as heartbreaking, noting that his young family had been robbed of a father and a husband.
“We must all be free to debate openly and freely without fear - there can be no justification for political violence,” he said.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage described it as a very dark day for American democracy, while back in the US, Robert F. Kennedy Jr, the Health and Human Services Secretary, described Kirk as a relentless and courageous crusader for free speech.
“Once again, a bullet has silenced the most eloquent truth teller of an era,” he said.
The Kennedy family is no stranger to assassinations. President John F. Kennedy was shot while in a motorcade in 1963, while his brother, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, was shot after a presidential primary speech in 1968.
Investigations continue into Kirk's murder
Investigations into the murder continue, with police yet to make a formal arrest in the matter. Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Kash Patel, confirmed that a suspect was initially taken in for questioning, but later released.
"The subject in custody has been released after an interrogation by law enforcement. Our investigation continues, and we will continue to release information in the interest of transparency," he said.
South Africans unmoved as Charlie Kirk's widow vows to continue his legacy
Meanwhile, the wife of the 31-year-old Charlie Kirk has vowed to continue the work her late husband did. Kirk was shot and killed by a single bullet while addressing a crowd at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.
The mourning widow described her late husband as the perfect husband and father. Erika Kirk said that the perpetrators have no idea what they have done. She promised that the movement built by her husband would not die. She stated that she will never allow that to happen.
Speaking at a live video address, the widow said that she refuses to let her husband's hard work go to waste. She called the individuals responsible for the 31-year-old's death evil doers.
Briefly News previously reported that Kirk got into a heated debate about South Africa's land issues.
He argued that South Africans should focus on building businesses and working harder instead of demanding land.
Citizens reacted with anger and frustration, questioning why non-South Africans were discussing their country's problems.
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Source: Briefly News
