US President Donald Trump on Monday said that the suspect accused of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk had been radicalised over the internet, calling it an example of unchecked left-wing influence online.
Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump described the suspect, Tyler Robinson, as a “smart guy” with wonderful parents and wonderful neighbours before adding:
“And then something happened to him over a fairly short period of time. It looks like he was radicalised on the internet. And it’s radicalised on the left.”
The president said he believed social media platforms shield leftist groups from accountability, adding, “They get protected, but they shouldn’t be protected.”
Trump also credited Kirk with convincing him to join TikTok during his presidential campaign, a move the president said boosted his reach with younger voters.
“Charlie helped me. He was the one who said, ‘Get on TikTok.’ Charlie was unbelievable,” Trump said, before also thanking his sons Barron, Don Jr., and Eric.
When asked about TikTok’s Chinese ownership, Trump said his administration had not yet made a final decision.
Trump confirmed he plans to attend Kirk’s funeral on Sunday and expects to say “a few words” in tribute. “I guess I will,” he told reporters.
Reporters also pressed Trump on why he ordered flags lowered for Kirk but not after the June fatal shooting of Minnesota state lawmaker Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband.
Trump said the decision was based on protocol: “Had the governor asked me to do that, I would have done that gladly.” He added that Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz never made such a request. However, Trump previously dismissed speaking to Walz at the time, calling it a “waste of time.”
The president closed by reiterating Kirk’s impact on his movement: “Charlie was a big part of what we built. He helped us connect, and he was unbelievable.”
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