Trump opened the Republican Party’s first-ever midterm convention in Dallas, Texas, by paying tribute to the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The president addressed the crowd on Wednesday, September 9, just one day before the one-year anniversary of Kirk’s death.
Kirk was fatally shot on September 10, 2025, while delivering opening remarks at a Turning Point USA debate event at Utah Valley University.
Trump told the convention crowd: “Exactly one year ago tomorrow, a far-left extremist assassinated my great friend and conservative voice, Charlie Kirk, because Charlie Kirk spoke the truth.”
Trump went on to condemn those who celebrated the killing, arguing the moment revealed the true nature of his political opponents.
“What shocked millions of Americans was not only the fact that Charlie was murdered, as bad as it was, but also how many people made an excuse for it or cheered for it,” Trump said.
He continued: “For a brief moment, the mask came off the radical left, and you saw what they were all about. And now those same people are trying to get power over you in this election, and they are all voting Democrat.”
Trump closed his remarks with a direct appeal to the audience, saying: “We will not let them win. And in Charlie’s honor, I just want to say we love you, Charlie.”
The president then turned his attention to Erika Kirk, Charlie’s widow, who was present in the audience during his remarks.
Trump asked the crowd, “Erika is here someplace? Erika, where is Erika?” prompting a standing ovation and a chant of “Charlie! Charlie! Charlie!” from the crowd.
The RNC scheduled a formal tribute to Kirk for Thursday between 6 and 7 PM, timed to coincide exactly with the one-year anniversary of his assassination.
Turning Point USA, the organization Kirk founded, held a separate memorial Thursday night at Utah Valley University, the site where he was killed in front of thousands of attendees.
Kirk spent years building Turning Point USA into a major force for organizing young conservatives on college campuses across the country.
He campaigned aggressively for Trump and Republican candidates during the 2024 election cycle and maintained close personal relationships with both Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
