Donald Trump has said that Charlie Kirk could have been a future president of the USA, as he paid tribute to the right-wing college organiser who died after being shot in the neck.
Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old conservative activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA was a close ally of Trump’s as well as a personal friend, according to multiple reports. Kirk was hit in the neck by a bullet while he was talking at Utah Valley University.
At a ceremony on Thursday at the Pentagon to honor the victims of 9/11 Trump revealed his plans to honor Kirk by posthumously awarding him 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.
Political activist Charlie Kirk (R) was shot and killed while speaking at an event (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
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Kernan said: “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.”
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Charlie Kirk with his wife, Erika and their two children(Image: @mrserikakirk/Instagram)
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award in the US and is awarded by the President. Turning Point USA has issued a statement about its founder Charlie Kirk following his assassination.
The organisation said Kirk had “an overwhelming passion for life” and a “deep belief in his power as an individual to make a difference.” It 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.”
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