Gavin Newsom Makes Shockingly Strong Statement After Charlie Kirk Shot

Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk was shot Wednesday afternoon while addressing students at Utah Valley University, a horrifying act of political violence that has drawn bipartisan condemnation — including from President Donald Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and, in a surprising turn, California’s Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom.

According to Kirk’s spokesperson, “Charlie Kirk has been shot at Utah Valley University. Condition unknown.”

Video footage from the event showed Kirk seated beneath a white pop-up tent, speaking to a packed audience when the shot rang out. Chaos followed as attendees shouted, “Run, run, run!” and scrambled for safety.

President Trump immediately called for prayer and strength. On Truth Social, he wrote: “We must all pray for Charlie Kirk, who has been shot. A great guy from top to bottom. GOD BLESS HIM!”

Vice President J.D. Vance echoed those sentiments, posting: “Say a prayer for Charlie Kirk, a genuinely good guy and a young father.”

Utah Senator Mike Lee said he was monitoring the situation closely, urging Americans to join him in prayer. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth added: “Prayers for Charlie Kirk. An incredible Christian, American, and human being. May the healing hand of Jesus Christ be upon him.”

Newsom’s Unexpected Words

Even Gavin Newsom — often one of the loudest critics of conservatives — broke ranks with the partisan silence that too often follows violence against the right.

“The attack on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, vile, and reprehensible. In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form,” Newsom tweeted.

While Democrats have often stoked hostility toward conservative figures like Kirk, Newsom’s unusually strong statement drew attention, with many acknowledging the necessity of unequivocal condemnation in this moment.

The Shooting

Utah Valley University confirmed the shooting in a statement by Ellen Treanor, Associate Vice President of Strategic Communication Management, who told Fox News:

“We had a speaker, Charlie Kirk, who was invited by a student group, Turning Point USA, who was speaking on campus today at noon. At about 12:20 shots were fired from a building about 200 yards from the speaker. To the best of our knowledge, the individual was hit and was taken away immediately by his security personnel. The campus is closed for the rest of the day and our campus police has a suspect and custody.”

Video from moments before the shooting captured Kirk responding to a question about transgender mass shooters in America:

Audience member: “Do you know how many transgender Americans have been mass shooters over the last 10 years?”
Kirk: “Too many.”

The same attendee replied that the number is five, then asked about mass shootings overall.
Kirk answered: “Counting or not counting gang violence?” Seconds later, a shot rang out and Kirk recoiled.

Bipartisan Condemnation

While President Trump and conservative leaders led with prayer and calls for justice, even many Democrat governors voiced disapproval. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro called the attack “horrifying.” Maryland Gov. Wes Moore condemned it “in the strongest possible terms.”

Former Vice President Kamala Harris admitted she was “deeply disturbed” and said Americans must prevent further violence. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer labeled the shooting “horrific” and “unacceptable,” while North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein insisted, “Our nation is weaker when people are afraid to share their opinions or disagree.”

This is a developing story. Updates will follow as more details become available.