Pentagon denies NBC report tying Charlie Kirk killing to military recruitment drive
Defense officials say discussions about using the death as recruitment are not underway; NBC report disputed; no final decision has been made.
WASHINGTON — The Pentagon on Thursday rejected NBC News' report that military leaders were weighing a recruitment campaign tied to the death of Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist who was killed during a public appearance at Utah Valley University.
NBC cited two anonymous officials who said Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Anthony Tata was leading the effort, and that chapters of Kirk's Turning Point USA could serve as recruitment hubs. Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson called the article "100% wrong" in a statement to Fox News Digital, and accused NBC of publishing misinformation based on anonymous sources. The Pentagon also released the original statement it had provided to NBC prior to publication. The article described discussions as preliminary and noted that no final decision had been made.
Kirk, 31, founder of Turning Point USA, was assassinated on Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University in Orem. He was addressing a crowd when a single shot struck him in the neck from about 200 yards. He collapsed and was rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead about two and a half hours later. His death prompted memorial arrangements, including the casket being flown aboard Air Force Two to Arizona, where President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and other senior officials were expected to attend his memorial service.
Trump led tributes for the late political commentator. "The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!" The President has ordered all American flags to be lowered to half-staff until Sunday evening at 6 p.m. EST in honor of Kirk. Kirk leaves behind his wife Erika Frantzve, with whom he had a three-year-old daughter and a son, 16 months.
The NBC article also cited concerns from some Pentagon officials that using Kirk's death as a recruitment hook could be seen as exploiting the assassination. The article noted that discussions were preliminary and no final decision had been made. Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson and other officials have since dismissed the report as misinformation, reiterating that there is no verified recruitment effort tied to Kirk's death at this time. In the coverage around Kirk's death and ensuing political reactions, the note that the matter remains sensitive amid ongoing political debates about military recruiting and the administration's leadership was also reflected in subsequent statements from Pentagon and allied voices.