President Trump Says He Was “Devastated” by Charlie Kirk’s Assassination and Believed Charlie Could Have Been President One Day
The shocking death of Charlie Kirk has sent ripples across the country, but perhaps no reaction has been more personal than the one shared by former President Donald Trump. According to CNBC host Joe Kernen, Trump called him directly after hearing the news and admitted he was “devastated.” In that call, Trump spoke about Kirk not only as a powerful voice in conservative politics but also as someone he believed had the potential to rise even higher. Trump went as far as saying that Charlie Kirk could have been president one day.
Hearing words like that from a former president speaks volumes about the impact Kirk had made in his relatively short life. He was only 31, yet he had already built Turning Point USA into one of the most recognizable conservative organizations in the country, connecting with young people in ways few others could. His energy, his confidence, and his ability to fill a room with both passion and debate made him stand out, even in a movement filled with strong voices.
Trump’s reflection wasn’t about political strategy or polls, though. It was deeply personal. People close to Kirk have always said that beyond the stage lights and cameras, he was someone who truly believed in the power of ideas, faith, and family. He wasn’t afraid of tough conversations. He welcomed critics into his events and encouraged dialogue even when the room was filled with tension. Trump himself noticed this quality early on, admiring Kirk’s fearlessness and his ability to connect across different settings.
The bond between Trump and Kirk was also built on loyalty. While Kirk was initially cautious about Trump back in 2016, he quickly came to see him as the only leader willing to disrupt decades of globalist policies and put America first. Once Kirk made that decision, he never looked back. He became one of Trump’s most vocal defenders and, at the same time, a bridge to the next generation of conservative activists. For Trump to say Kirk could have been president one day shows how much trust and respect he had for him.
The tragedy of his assassination at Utah Valley University has left so many wondering what could have been. Friends like Senator JD Vance have already shared how Kirk played a key role in encouraging his political career, giving him advice and support when he was polling at barely five percent. Others have spoken about his generosity, his prayers, and his constant willingness to help. But Trump’s words captured the sense of loss in a way few could. He saw in Kirk not only a rising star but someone who had the qualities to lead the entire country one day.
It is heartbreaking to imagine a life with that much potential cut short. The idea that Trump himself envisioned Kirk as a future president only adds to the weight of the loss. Charlie Kirk will be remembered for his speeches, his organization, and his activism, but also for his role as a husband, father, and believer who put his heart into everything he did. For Trump, and for so many others, his absence will be felt not just in politics but in the personal bonds he formed along the way.
