Donald Trump has revealed the last conversation he had with conservative activist Charlie Kirk before his assassination.
Trump was speaking at Kirk’s public memorial service at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday when he recalled Kirk’s final request to him.
Kirk asked Trump to “save Chicago” during one of their final conversations, according to the president.
Highlights
- Donald Trump revealed Charlie Kirk's last request was to 'save Chicago' amid rising violent crime concerns.
- Trump plans to deploy the National Guard to Chicago, following recent deployments in Washington, D.C., and Memphis.
- Charlie Kirk was credited with helping unite the MAGA and MAHA movements.
Donald Trump said Charlie Kirk wanted him to "save Chicago"
Image credits: The White House
The Turning Point USA co-founder, 31, grew up in Arlington Heights, a suburb in Chicago.
Trump has recently deployed the National Guard to Washington, D.C., and Memphis to tackle what he calls a dire violent crime problem.
He is widely expected to go against the wishes of Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and deploy the National Guard to Chicago next.
“One of the last things he said to me is: ‘Please sir, save Chicago’ – we're going to do that, we’re going to save Chicago from horrible crime,” Trump said at the memorial.
Trump again addressed National Guard deployment later in his speech, saying: “I’m so proud of Washington, D.C., and now we’re going into Memphis, and we’ll get that one straightened out fast.”
“And then we’re going into some others, but we’re going to go do Chicago, and we’re going to have Charlie very much in mind when we go into Chicago, and we’ll get that one straight.”
Kirk was pivotal in helping the GOP secure a victory in the 2024 presidential election after shoring up support from college students.
Trump’s eulogy, which lasted over 40 minutes, also credited Kirk for helping to unite the MAGA and MAHA movements.
After mentioning this, Trump told the tens of thousands of people in attendance that he thinks his administration has found an “answer” for autism.
“I think you're going to find it to be amazing. I think we found an answer to autism. How about that, autism?” Trump said.
“Tomorrow, we're going to be talking in the Oval Office in the White House about autism, how it happens. So we won't let it happen anymore.”
Erika said she forgave Kirk's killer
Image credits: The White House
While Kirk’s wife, Erika, announced she had forgiven her husband's killer, Trump told the audience that he did not feel the same.
“My husband, he wanted to save young men, just like the one who took his life,” Erika said during her speech.
“That man, that young man, I forgive him. I forgive him because it was what Christ did and it is what Charlie would do.”
She further said that the “answer to hate is not hate” and the answer was “love for our enemies and love for those who persecute us.”
Image credits: The White House
Tyler Robinson, 22, has been charged with aggravated murder in connection with Kirk’s death. Authorities have not released a specific motive but say he had left-leaning views.
Kirk was shot in the neck and killed while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University on September 10.
Trump’s comments were in stark contrast to Erika’s, with the president apologizing to Kirk’s widow for disagreeing.
“He did not hate his opponents. He wanted the best for them,” Trump said. “That's where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponents, and I don't want the best for them.”
“I am sorry, Erika,” Trump added.