Trump says he told Charlie Kirk he had a good chance at becoming president

Former President Donald Trump said in a Fox News interview that he once told Charlie Kirk the Turning Point USA founder had a 'good chance of being president,' citing Kirk's ability to capture the attention and imagination of young voters. The remarks aired Thursday on Fox News with Martha MacCallum. Trump recalled telling Kirk, 'Charlie, someday I think you have a good chance at being president, I think you will be president maybe' and I think he would’ve had a great chance. He was very compelling,' according to the interview transcript provided by Fox News. He added, 'I’ve never seen anybody capture a group of people like he captured youth. He captured youth, it was incredible,' framing Kirk as a rare political communicator who could mobilize younger voters.

Kirk, a Turning Point USA co-founder and a prominent ally of Trump during both the 2016 and 2020 campaigns, was killed while speaking at an event on Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University in Orem. The shooting occurred on the campus grounds, where Kirk had built a following among students and young conservatives through the campus-based movement he helped launch nearly a decade earlier. Authorities have described the incident as an active investigation, with campus security and local law enforcement cooperating to determine a motive and any accomplices. Kirk's death prompted tributes from conservative activists and young supporters who recalled his work in organizing campus events and his role as a rising voice in youth political outreach.

Tyler Robinson, 22, has been charged with murder in connection with the attack, according to Utah prosecutors. Authorities said they will seek the death penalty in the case, a step that underscores the severity with which officials are treating the alleged crime. Robinson's case is in the early stages of the judicial process, with prosecutors outlining the charges and listing the potential penalties while defense counsel prepares for forthcoming court proceedings. The Utah community and Kirk’s supporters have called for continued attention to campus safety and the responsibilities of public figures who speak at university events, amid a broader national conversation about political rhetoric and security at campus venues.

Charlie Kirk helped establish Turning Point USA in 2012 and built it into a national network of campus chapters and events that became a cornerstone of conservative youth outreach. He was widely regarded as a dynamic speaker who connected with younger audiences and helped shape the messaging that has defined much of the contemporary conservative movement. His work as a commentator and organizer attracted praise from allies and supporters across the political spectrum, even as his public presence remained closely tied to the Trump era and its enduring influence on student politics. In the wake of his death, many observers noted the impact of his efforts in mobilizing young conservatives and shaping the climate around campus debates on issues ranging from free speech to campus culture.

Trump’s remarks come at a time when political violence at or around public political events has drawn renewed scrutiny. The Utah Valley University shooting is prompting questions about security at campus venues hosting speakers tied to national political conversations. Law enforcement officials have stressed that investigations remain ongoing and that additional details may emerge as prosecutors move forward with the case. The incident has also reignited discussions about how political figures engage with young voters and the responsibilities of leaders who command large youth followings, particularly in campus environments where emotions and opinions can run high.

Overall, the episode intersects with a broader arc in U.S. politics: the persistent visibility of youth activism on the right, the continuing influence of former President Trump, and the personal toll of violence connected to politically charged events. As authorities pursue the legal process in Kirk’s death, the memory of his activism and his role in shaping conservative youth engagement continues to reverberate through political circles, underscoring the enduring dynamics of how young Americans participate in and influence national policy debates.