President Donald Trump said his youngest son, Barron Trump, was "very hurt" after the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, describing a recent meeting between the two and confirming that the FBI has detained an alleged shooter.
The president made the remarks during a Friday interview on Fox News's Fox & Friends after law enforcement authorities arrested Tyler Robinson on Thursday evening as the suspected gunman in the attack that left Kirk mortally wounded while he was speaking to students at Utah Valley University. Barron Trump, 19, had been a fan of Kirk and had asked his father for an introduction, the president said.
"Barron came to me and he said, 'Dad, I'd like to meet somebody that you know…Charlie Kirk,'" Trump told hosts. The president said he arranged a lunch where Kirk and Barron "hit it off," and recalled Barron returning from the meeting and saying, "That guy's great, Dad." Trump did not specify when Barron approached him about meeting Kirk.
Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot in the throat while addressing a crowd of college students, authorities said. Law enforcement officials identified and detained Tyler Robinson on Thursday evening as the suspected attacker; the FBI led the investigation, according to Trump and public statements from law enforcement. Officials have not publicly released a motive, and the arrest comes as investigators continue to process evidence and interview witnesses.
Trump said he plans to attend Kirk's funeral in Arizona and to eulogize the conservative activist. The president also announced he would posthumously award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He has previously credited Kirk and Turning Point USA with mobilizing college-age voters in support of his 2024 campaign.
Barron Trump recently moved back to the White House to continue his studies at New York University's Washington, D.C., campus, the president said. On Friday, Fox News host Brian Kilmeade asked how Barron was coping; Trump replied that his son was "very hurt when he saw this. But, I mean, everybody was."
Turning Point USA, founded by Kirk, has been a prominent organization on college campuses and in conservative political circles, advocating for limited government and free-market principles. Kirk rose to national prominence in recent years as a vocal supporter of conservative causes and a frequent attendee at campaign events.
Investigators have been working to establish a timeline of the shooting and to determine the circumstances surrounding the attack. Authorities have urged anyone with information or footage related to the incident to come forward as they continue interviews and forensic work at the scene.
The killing prompted widespread condemnation from political leaders across the spectrum and renewed calls for attention to security at public events featuring high-profile speakers. The White House has said it will coordinate with local and federal agencies as investigators complete their work and the Justice Department considers potential charges.
As officials proceed with the criminal investigation, the political ramifications — including the planned Medal of Freedom and the president's public remarks about Kirk and his son — are expected to draw continued attention in the coming days.