“We send love to the Kirks”: Jimmy Kimmel, Chris Pratt, and more stars react to Charlie Kirk’s death

Hollywood and political leaders mourned the death of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed at age 31 while speaking at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. Kirk, co-founder of the youth advocacy group Turning Point USA, had been about 20 minutes into his remarks at the Orem, Utah, campus when a gunshot was fired from roughly 200 yards away, a university spokesperson told NBC News. The activist was rushed to a nearby hospital, but his death was later confirmed by President Donald Trump. Writing on Truth Social, Trump said:

"The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. 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!"

Tributes poured in across the entertainment industry as well. Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel called Charlie Kirk's death “horrible” and “monstrous,” adding on Instagram:

“On behalf of my family, we send love to the Kirks and to all the children, parents and innocents who fall victim to senseless violence.”

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From Hollywood to the media, stars share condolences for Charlie Kirk:

Following President Donald Trump’s announcement of Charlie Kirk’s death, tributes flooded social media from Hollywood, media figures, and more.

Chris Pratt:

Actor Chris Pratt wrote on X,

“Praying for Charlie Kirk right now, for his wife and young children, for our country. We need God’s grace. God help us.”

Piers Morgan:

British broadcaster Piers Morgan called the shooting “heartbreaking,” noting in a post:

“Charlie always welcomed debate with anyone. This is disgusting, and heartbreaking. RIP Charlie.”

Arnold Schwarzenegger:

Meanwhile, former California governor and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger described the incident as a “horrible tragedy.” Writing on X, he added:

“May it also be a moment for everyone to rediscover their humanity.”

JD Vance:

Ben Shapiro:

Political commentator Ben Shapiro also reacted to Charlie Kirk's death, posting a lengthy tribute on X.

Megyn Kelly:

According to Entertainment Weekly, broadcaster Megyn Kelly broke down on air while announcing the death of Charlie Kirk. The former Fox News anchor had been livestreaming The Megyn Kelly Show with commentator Glenn Beck when she received reports of Kirk’s passing. Roughly an hour and 18 minutes into the program, Megyn Kelly addressed viewers through tears.

“They’re reporting that Charlie has died, that he’s dead at the age of 31, which he would have to be if that video was real.” she shared.

Beck, who was also emotional, added,

“There’s no way he survived that. The only good thing is: It had to have happened quickly.”

Political leaders in the UK also reacted to the death of Charlie Kirk.

Sir Keir Starmer:

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer wrote on X:

“My thoughts this evening are with the loved ones of Charlie Kirk. It is heartbreaking that a young family has been robbed of a father and a husband. We must all be free to debate openly and freely without fear - there can be no justification for political violence.”

Yvette Cooper:

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said she was “deeply shocked” by the news, while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch described the killing as “a blow to everything Western civilization stands for: open discourse, robust debate and peaceful dissent.”

Nigel Farage:

Former UKIP leader Nigel Farage shared a black-and-white photo of himself with Kirk, calling it “a very dark day for American democracy.”

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Vigil held for Charlie Kirk as police search for gunman:

As the search for Kirk’s killer continued, officials said progress was limited. The BBC reported that two men were detained, but both were released after investigators concluded they had “no current ties” to the shooting.

According to The New York Times, hopes for a quick resolution to the manhunt following the fatal shooting of Charlie faded when the F.B.I. Director Kash Patel confirmed that authorities had released a man initially described as central to the investigation.

“The subject in custody has been released after an interrogation by law enforcement,” Patel wrote on X. “Our investigation continues.”

Just two hours earlier, Patel had praised officials for detaining what he called “the subject for the horrific shooting today.”

The decision to release the unnamed individual capped a day marked by confusion, fear, and shock over what authorities described as a political assassination carried out in front of thousands gathered at Utah Valley University.

As per the BBC, the Police lifted the lockdown at Utah Valley University, though classes were canceled and entrances to the campus remained under guard. While vehicles were kept out, students were permitted to walk in to collect belongings. Authorities did not indicate whether they had leads on the gunman’s whereabouts. Meanwhile, hundreds attended a vigil for Kirk, who left behind a wife and two children and was seen as a defining figure in conservative youth politics.