Kentucky leaders across the political spectrum are reacting to the fatal shooting of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, who was killed during an event in Utah on Wednesday.
Kirk, 31, co-founded Turning Point USA, one of the country’s most influential conservative youth organizations. Known for its viral social media presence, the group has been credited with helping boost young male voter turnout for Donald Trump in 2024.
Multiple reports say Kirk was shot in the neck and rushed to a hospital, where he later died. A person was detained at the scene but later cleared as the suspected shooter.
Former President Donald Trump confirmed Kirk’s death on social media, calling him “Great, and even Legendary” and praising his connection with young Americans.
Though originally from Illinois, Kirk had recently become involved in Kentucky politics by endorsing Nate Morris, a Lexington tech entrepreneur running for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Mitch McConnell in 2026.
Morris asked Kentuckians to pray for Kirk and his family, while other Senate hopefuls, including Daniel Cameron and Andy Barr, offered prayers as well. Cameron wrote that the shooting showed “the devil is working,” urging Americans to turn to faith.
Kentucky’s Democratic governor Andy Beshear condemned the attack, stressing that “political violence has no place in the United States.”
Other Kentucky leaders also weighed in:
-
Rand Paul called Kirk “an icon to so many young Americans” and said he and his wife were “heartbroken.”
-
Mitch McConnell described the shooting as “horrific” and urged prayers for Kirk’s family.
-
Thomas Massie said his “heart was broken” while condemning political violence, emphasizing that America was built on free speech.
-
Matt Jones, host of Kentucky Sports Radio, warned that the nation is headed “in a very bad path” unless division and hate are addressed.
-
Scott Jennings, a Kentucky conservative commentator on CNN, called Kirk a unifier between older Republicans and the next generation, saying, “God help us, we’re in a bad place.”
The shooting comes amid a troubling rise in political violence nationwide, including an attempt on Trump’s life last year, shootings targeting Democratic lawmakers in Minnesota, and an arson attack on Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s home.
Kirk had recently criticized McConnell, urging Republicans to rally behind Morris to “end the McConnell mafia.”
His death has left both supporters and political rivals shaken, with many echoing the same plea: violence cannot become the norm in American politics.
