Charlie Kirk, conservative media pundit and outspoken ally of former US President Donald Trump, was shot dead on Wednesday, 10 September 2025 (US time), hours after sending his final message to Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah.

“Thank you so much. Just landed. Event I think is going to be a win,” Kirk wrote in his text to Lee.

Daily Wire reporter Kassy Akiva also shared her last exchange with Kirk. He told her he “needed to be better and just mute the noise.” Akiva responded,

"We all do. It's why I have a ton of friends who aren't into politics and when I see them, they have 0 idea about any of the controversies on Twitter. It's so refreshing." Kirk agreed with her sentiment.

In his final post on X, Kirk condemned the murder of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska. "If we want things to change, it’s 100% necessary to politicize the senseless murder of Iryna Zarutska because it was politics that allowed a savage monster with 14 priors to be free on the streets to kill her," he wrote, sharing a video clip from his podcast, The Charlie Kirk Show. Kirk also posted a photo of Zarutska on Instagram with the caption, “America will never be the same,” marking his final social media post.

Erika Kirk, his widow and mother of their two children, gave her official statement to the press, fighting back tears. "In a world filled with chaos, doubt and uncertainty, my husband's voice will remain," the 36-year-old former Miss Arizona winner said. She vowed to continue her husband’s legacy through his campus tours and podcast. She also thanked Vice President JD Vance, President Trump, and their families for their friendship and support. Addressing Kirk’s shooter, she said, "You have no idea the fire that you ignited within this wife, the cries of this widow will echo around the world like a battle cry."

US authorities have apprehended 22-year-old Utah native Tyler Robinson in connection with Kirk’s death.