Kimmel questions Trump’s reaction to Charlie Kirk’s death

Jimmy Kimmel challenges Trump’s response

Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel criticized President Donald Trump for his reaction to Charlie Kirk’s tragic death. The conservative activist and Turning Point USA founder was executed at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025.

Kimmel expressed disappointment that Trump blamed Democrats rather than attempting to unite the country during this difficult time. The comedian highlighted how other former presidents offered messages of solidarity while Trump chose a divisive approach.

Charlie Kirk’s final moments captured on camera

Kirk was addressing approximately 3,000 students during a campus debate event when he was struck. The 31-year-old activist was participating in Turning Point USA’s American Comeback Tour at the university.

Video footage showed Kirk engaging with students about political topics before collapsing from the fatal shot. The disturbing images quickly spread across social media platforms, shocking viewers nationwide.

Trump’s controversial blame game begins

Instead of offering unifying words, Trump immediately pointed fingers at the radical left for Kirk’s assassination. The president claimed their rhetoric was directly responsible for what he called terrorism in America.

Trump’s statement came before authorities had identified a suspect or determined any motive for the attack. His quick assignment of blame drew criticism from multiple quarters, including Kimmel’s late-night program.

Kimmel highlights presidential leadership differences

During his Thursday night monologue, Kimmel displayed social media responses from former presidents to Kirk’s death. Barack Obama, Joe Biden, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton all offered messages of unity and condolence.

“You would think our president would at least make an attempt to bring us together, but he didn’t,” Kimmel stated on Jimmy Kimmel Live!. The host emphasized how Trump’s response stood out for its divisive tone.

Trump’s history of inflammatory rhetoric exposed

Kimmel reminded viewers of Trump’s own controversial statements over the years. He referenced Trump telling supporters that “maybe the Second Amendment people should do something about Hillary Clinton”.

The comedian also mentioned Trump’s comment about not minding if someone shot through the fake news media. These past remarks contrasted sharply with Trump’s criticism of others’ rhetoric following Kirk’s death.

Capitol riot connection drawn by Kimmel

The late-night host brought up Trump’s role in the January 6th Capitol attack. He noted how Trump “unleashed a mob on the Capitol” and made threatening comments about Liz Cheney facing “nine barrels shooting at her”.

Kimmel highlighted the irony of Trump blaming others for dangerous rhetoric while having his own history of incendiary statements. This comparison became a central theme of his critique on the show.

Kirk receives posthumous presidential honor

Trump announced he would award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously during a Pentagon ceremony. The president called Kirk “a giant of his generation” and “a champion of liberty”.

The medal represents the nation’s highest civilian honor, typically reserved for individuals who have made significant contributions to society. Trump promised a ceremony with a “very, very big” crowd to honor Kirk’s memory.

Utah manhunt ends with suspect capture

Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old suspect, was arrested within 33 hours of the shooting. Authorities located him in Washington County, Utah, following an intensive manhunt that involved thousands of tips from the public.

The FBI had offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to Robinson’s capture. Officials described the shooting as a targeted political assassination carried out from a rooftop some 150 yards away.

Weapon and evidence details emerge

Investigators recovered a high-powered bolt-action rifle believed to be the murder weapon in a wooded area. They also found palm prints, footprints, and other forensic evidence at the crime scene.

The rifle contained inscribed bullet casings with various messages. These engravings may provide clues about the shooter’s motivation and planning.

Kirk’s influential conservative legacy

Kirk co-founded Turning Point USA at age 18 with the goal of promoting conservative values on liberal college campuses. The organization grew to over 850 college chapters nationwide under his leadership.

His daily podcast and social media presence made him one of the most prominent young conservative voices. Kirk was credited with registering thousands of new Republican voters and helping flip Arizona for Trump.

Social media reactions divide America

Kimmel condemned the “extraordinarily vile responses” he witnessed from both ends of the political spectrum. Some individuals were celebrating Kirk’s death, which the comedian found incomprehensible.

The host called for Americans to resist turning the tragedy into partisan fuel. His Instagram post asked people to agree “for one day” that shooting another human is “horrible and monstrous”.

Fellow late-night hosts respond

Stephen Colbert also addressed Kirk’s death with a message denouncing political violence. The Late Show host recalled the political violence of the 1960s and expressed hope this was an isolated incident.

Colbert emphasized that political violence never resolves disagreements and only leads to more violence. He noted that Kirk was “a young father of two small children” who deserved safety while expressing his opinions.

White House defends Trump’s approach

White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson responded to Kimmel’s criticism by defending Trump’s statements. She accused Kimmel of “fueling hatred and spreading lies” about the president and his supporters.

Jackson called Kimmel “an absolute ghoul” for criticizing Trump following his friend’s assassination. The response highlighted the continued political divisions even in the wake of tragedy.

Campus reopens amid ongoing trauma

Utah Valley University announced classes would resume exactly one week after the shooting. The institution provided mental health counseling services for students who witnessed the traumatic event.

Officials estimated that the 3,000 students present during Kirk’s speech would be permanently affected by witnessing the assassination. The university worked to support the campus community’s recovery process.

Investigation continues into motive

Utah Governor Spencer Cox revealed that Robinson allegedly had leftist ideological views and spent time in dark online spaces. The suspect reportedly expressed dislike for Kirk during a family dinner days before the shooting.

Authorities continue analyzing Robinson’s online activity and written materials for additional clues. The investigation aims to understand whether he acted alone or had connections to extremist groups.

After Jimmy Kimmel weighed in, political leaders and Hollywood stars also shared heartfelt tributes to Charlie Kirk.

America grapples with political divisions

Kirk’s death intensified national conversations about political rhetoric and its consequences. The incident highlighted how deeply divided America has become along partisan lines.

Kimmel’s criticism of Trump represents broader concerns about leadership during national tragedies. The debate over appropriate responses to political violence continues as the country mourns another victim of extremism.

The reactions didn’t stop there, a local councillor even stepped down after making a shocking ‘good riddance’ remark about Charlie Kirk.

Jimmy Kimmel sparked debate with his take on Trump and Charlie Kirk, drop your opinion in the comments!

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.