Obama Actually Says We Have No Idea What Motivation Was For Charlie Kirk Assassination

Former President Barack Obama urged Americans Wednesday not to jump to conclusions about the motive behind Turning Point Founder Charlie Kirk’s assassination.

Kirk died at 31 after being shot during a campus event at Utah Valley University. Obama called Kirk’s assassination “despicable” but urged the public not to rush to judgment about the motive behind the shooting.

“We don’t yet know what motivated the person who shot and killed Charlie Kirk, but this kind of despicable violence has no place in our democracy. Michelle and I will be praying for Charlie’s family tonight, especially his wife Erika and their two young children,” Obama wrote on X.

Meanwhile, Democratic Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker took a sharper tone, blaming President Donald Trump for fostering the political climate that led to the shooting. He pointed to Trump’s rhetoric and his pardons of Jan. 6 rioters and said they were signals to those willing to carry out attacks.

Trump announced Kirk’s death on Truth Social, calling him “legendary” and praising his bond with young Americans. He described Kirk as deeply loved, especially by himself, and offered condolences to Kirk’s wife Erika and his family, writing, “Charlie, we love you!”