President Donald Trump revealed what he described as one of Charlie Kirk’s final requests before the conservative activist’s assassination earlier this month.
Speaking at a memorial event in Glendale, Arizona, Trump said Kirk had urged his administration to “save Chicago.” Kirk was born and raised in the city’s suburbs.
In recent weeks, Trump has pledged to override Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and deploy National Guard troops to Chicago as part of a broad crackdown on crime.
“We owe Charlie a profound and eternal debt of gratitude,” Trump said during his speech, going on to praise the Turning Point USA founder for promoting “freedom and justice” around the country.
“Charles James Kirk was heinously murdered by a radicalized leftist for speaking the truth that was in his heart,” Trump said. “He was violently killed because he spoke for freedom and justice, for God, touched for reason and for common sense. He was assassinated because he lived bravely.
“He lived boldly and he argued brilliantly without apology. He did what was right for our nation,” Trump added.
Trump addressed Charlie Kirk’s parents and family during his remarks, saying no “words can fill the void” left by his death, but adding that “America loved Charlie Kirk.”
Trump credited Kirk with helping to unite the MAGA and MAHA movements by introducing him to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. He also noted that Kirk had introduced him to J.D. Vance early in the Ohio Republican’s political career.
Kirk, who was shot and killed on September 10 in Utah Valley, was credited with helping expand Trump’s support among young voters during the 2024 election.
Trump, himself the target of a pair of assassination attempts last year, said it was a “surreal experience” the moment he learned that Kirk had been shot and killed.
“The gun was pointed at him, but the bullet was aimed at every one of us,” he said. “Charlie is bigger than two weeks ago….think about it…he’s eternal. I just want to say we love him. He’s looking down today and saying, ‘That’s a great crowd!’”