US President Donald Trump has blamed the “radical left” for the killing of conservative activist and influencer Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot during a campus event at Utah Valley University (UVU) in Orem. The shooting occurred around 12:20 p.m. on Wednesday during a student Q&A session, according to a statement from the university.

In a video message posted on Truth Social, Trump said he was “filled with grief and anger at the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk,” describing the 31-year-old as a patriot and a “martyr for truth and freedom.”

“All who knew him are united in shock and horror. Charlie was a man of faith, devoted to liberty, democracy, and the American people. He brought thousands of young people into politics,” Trump said.

The President offered condolences to Kirk’s wife Erika, their two children, and his family, calling Kirk’s murder “a dark moment for America.” He said Kirk’s ability to defend his views with “courage, logic, humour, and grace” inspired an entire generation.

Doubling down on his accusations, Trump said, “The radical left compared wonderful Americans like Charlie to Nazis and mass murderers. This rhetoric is directly responsible for terrorism in our country, and it must stop now.”

Trump vowed accountability, promising to track down “each and every one of those who contributed to this atrocity and other political violence.” He cited other recent incidents, including the assassination attempt on him in Pennsylvania and attacks on law enforcement.

Calling Kirk “the best of America,” Trump said the assassin “failed” because Kirk’s message would now live on even stronger.