President Trump’s White House team was paralyzed in shock, repeatedly checking their social media, as alarming news from Utah revealed that Charlie Kirk – their friend, advisor, and conservative icon – had been shot.
“At first, it was a shock,” a White House official mentioned to the Daily Mail. “Minutes later, the televisions began their coverage, and the terrifying footage started trending.”
‘In that moment everything went still,’ she added. ‘I remember everyone gathering around a single TV, phones down, mourning.’
Five White House staffers expressed to the Daily Mail the overwhelming fear that enveloped the executive mansion upon hearing that Kirk, 31, the vocal founder of the conservative youth movement Turning Point USA (TPUSA), suffered a gunshot to the neck during an event at Utah Valley University last Wednesday.
“Someone on my team said, ‘Charlie Kirk has been shot,’ and you find yourself repeating that question, as you’re in shock and disbelief,” a second White House official reported.
During the anxious moments that followed the shooting, aides – whether they knew Kirk personally, were motivated to enter politics through his influence, or simply admired his long-standing advocacy for conservative values – anxiously awaited news on whether he would survive.
Many turned to prayer, calling on God to spare the husband and father of two.
President Donald Trump prepares to speak to reporters about the murder of Turning Point founder Charlie Kirk as he leaves the White House last week
Charlie Kirk, 31, a prominent supporter of the MAGA movement and President Trump, was tragically assassinated last week. He is seen above at the White House in late May.
‘There were people who were angry, there were people who were sobbing, there were people who were praying. Ultimately, it was a bounty of emotions throughout the halls and offices in the White House,’ the first official shared.
A third official, told the Daily Mail: ‘Everything else ceased.’
The president, vice president and some on their teams knew about Kirk’s passing well before it was officially announced, the third White House aide disclosed, noting how they were receiving updates from the Situation Room.
Later that evening, President Trump delivered a televised address from the Oval Office the evening of the shooting.
‘To my great fellow Americans, I am filled with grief and anger,’ the 79-year-old began his remarks.
A fourth staffer shared that Kirk was the driving force behind why she entered politics.
‘Charlie Kirk is what really mobilized and encouraged my career path,’ she shared. ‘It’s just truly devastating to lose someone who was such an influence for everyone in the White House.’
Three White House officials told the Daily Mail that Trump staffers were shocked and stunned after hearing the news of Kirk’s shooting. Many immediately began praying
Vice President JD Vance hosts a podcast episode of ‘The Charlie Kirk Show’ following the assassination of the show’s namesake, at the White House on September 15, 2025
Once the news of Kirk’s passing broke, the grief in the administration was immediate and tangible, Jenny Korn, the White House Faith Director, told the Daily Mail.
To help ease the heightened emotional state, Korn’s office planned a private vigil and prayer service last Friday to honor Kirk’s life and work.
Hundreds of Trump administration officials attended the private event, Korn shared. The service included a mass, vigil and memorial.
Rabbis and pastors, including a 31-year-old preacher from Virginia, delivered remarks.
The White House Faith Office, established by Trump in February, has also thrown events for Easter and Passover.
‘It was important for us to set an example of this is how we honor Charlie. This is how a government reacts. We come together when we pray and we work and we honor his memory,’ Korn said.
Vance, who has called Kirk a close friend, anchored the late host’s show on Monday and gave the TPUSA co-founder a glowing tribute.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a recent speech that the father of two’s passing ‘felt like a death in the family.’
