Donald Trump Posts Video Message Paying Tribute To Charlie Kirk, Blames “Radical Left Political Violence” For Assassination; Suspect Still At Large

Donald Trump posted a video message from the Oval Office paying tribute to Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed as he spoke at a Utah rally earlier today.

The suspect is still at large.

Trump appeared to blame the rhetoric of the left for the shooting, even though he himself has used extreme remarks to attack opponents and rival political groups.

Trump said, “It is past time for all Americans and the media to confront the fact that violence and murder are the tragic consequence of demonize those with whom you disagree, day after day, year after year, in the most hateful and despicable way possible.

“For years, those on the radical left have compared wonderful Americans like Charlie Kirk to Nazis and the world’s worst mass murderers and criminals. This type of rhetoric is directly responsible for the terrorism that we’re seeing in our country today, and it must stop right now. My administration will find each and every one of those who contributed to this atrocity, and to other political violence, including the organizations that fund it and support, as well as those who go after our judges, law enforcement officials and everyone else who brings order to our country.”

Trump also referred to the assassination attempt on his own life last year, as well as the shooting of House Majority Leader Steve Scalise in 2017, along with other violence directed at those on the right. But he did not cite the recent shooting death of Melissa Hortman, who had been a Democratic leader in the Minnesota state legislature, along with her husband. Another lawmaker and his wife were also shot by the same suspect and survived. Also unmentioned was the arson at the home of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro earlier this year.

“Radical left political violence has hurt too many innocent people, and taken too many lives,” Trump said.