The killing of Charlie Kirk, a prominent right-wing activist and close ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, has triggered an outpouring of condemnation from world leaders, who warned that politically motivated violence poses a grave threat to democracy.
Kirk, just 31 years old, was fatally shot while addressing an audience at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, in what authorities described as a targeted attack.
Here is how global leaders reacted to the assassination:
United States – ‘A dark moment for America’
“This is a dark moment for America,” Trump said in a video statement posted on Truth Social, praising Kirk as a “martyr for truth.”
“My administration will find each and every one of those who contributed to this atrocity, and to other political violence, including the organizations that fund and support it.”
Canada – ‘No justification for violence’
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney wrote on X:
“I am appalled by the murder of Charlie Kirk. There is no justification for political violence, and every act of it threatens democracy.”
Britain – ‘Debate must be free’
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stressed the importance of open political discourse:
“We must all be free to debate openly and freely without fear — there can be no justification for political violence.”
Italy – ‘A deep wound for democracy’
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the assassination an attack on democratic values:
“An atrocious murder, a deep wound for democracy and for those who believe in freedom. My condolences to his family, his loved ones, and the American conservative community.”
Israel – ‘Murdered for speaking truth’
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid tribute to Kirk’s outspoken support for Israel:
“Charlie Kirk was murdered for speaking truth and defending freedom. A lion-hearted friend of Israel, he fought the lies and stood tall for Judeo-Christian civilization.”
Netanyahu revealed he had recently invited Kirk to visit Israel: “Sadly, that visit will not take place.”
Hungary – ‘Stop the hate-mongering left’
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán linked the killing to broader political hostility:
“Charlie Kirk’s death is the result of the international hate campaign waged by the progressive-liberal left. This is what led to the attacks on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, on Czech former premier Andrej Babiš, and now on Charlie Kirk. We must stop the hatred! We must stop the hate-mongering left!”
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