Global leaders on Wednesday responded to the news that Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old conservative media personality and co-founder of Turning Point USA, a husband and father of two, had been killed during a speaking event at Utah Valley University.
The President confirmed in a social media post that Kirk, who had been hospitalized after being shot and sustaining a neck wound, had died.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was among the first to react to the news on social media, stating, “Charlie Kirk was murdered for speaking truth and defending freedom.
“A lion-hearted friend of Israel, he fought the lies and stood tall for Judeo-Christian civilization,” he added, noting he had spoken with Kirk just two weeks prior and invited him for a visit.
“Sadly, that visit will not take place. We lost an incredible human being,” Netanyahu concluded. “His boundless pride in America and his valiant belief in free speech will leave a lasting impact. Rest in peace, Charlie Kirk.”
Italy’s Prime Minister also extended her condolences, stating on X that she was “shocked by the news of the killing of Charlie Kirk.”
“An atrocious murder, a deep wound for democracy and for those who believe in freedom,” she remarked. “My condolences to his family, to his loved ones, and to the American conservative community.”
Argentina’s President shared a picture of himself with Kirk and former conservative Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, along with his condolences to Kirk’s family “and to all the young people in the world who admired him and listened to him.”
“A formidable disseminator of the ideas of freedom and staunch defender of the West,” Milei commented, before labeling him the “victim of an atrocious murder” and blaming the “left,” even though law enforcement officials have not confirmed who shot Kirk.
“The entire world lost an incredible human being,” he added.
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer also expressed his condolences, stating in a post on X that his “thoughts this evening are with the loved ones of Charlie Kirk.”
“It is heartbreaking that a young family has been robbed of a father and a husband,” he added. “We must all be free to debate openly and freely without fear – there can be no justification for political violence.”
Numerous messages of outcry came from leadership across the U.K., including from the leader of Reform UK, who also shared a picture of himself with Kirk and said, “This is a very dark day for American democracy.”
“I am desperately sad for Charlie, his wife and children,” he further added.
New Zealand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Winston Peters, similarly decried the rise of political violence and the threat it poses.
“It is tragic that we now live in a world where differences of opinion are met with a gun,” he said on X, noting that the death of Kirk is not merely “political violence” but “an assassination.”
“The utter tragedy is that Kirk traveled extensively around university campuses to give an open mic and debate to everyone – and all were welcome,” Peters observed. “The essence of democracy is under threat around the world and we must do everything we can to protect it.”