Donald Trump claimed that Charlie Kirk made a specific request to him in one of the pair's final conversations before his death.
Kirk was shot dead while speaking at a rally at a college campus in Utah on 10 September, with a close associate of Kirk claiming that he died 'instantly' after being shot in the neck.
The far-right activist was known for his hardline views on topics, including the US civil rights movement, which he called a 'mistake', as well as women's reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and gun violence, calling some gun deaths a year 'worth it' to protect Second Amendment rights.
Tens of thousands, including Elon Musk and Ted Cruz, turned up to the State Farm Stadium in Arizona on Sunday (21 September) to watch Kirk's memorial service.
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Trump was among many figures to speak at the memorial, which was organised by Turning Point USA, the far-right activist group Kirk co-founded, and claimed that Kirk made a 'last request' to him in one of their final conversations.
Taking to the podium for over 40 minutes behind a screen of bulletproof glass, Trump recalled Chicago-native Kirk asking him: "Please, sir, save Chicago."
Trump added: "We’re gonna do that, we’re gonna save Chicago from horrible crime."
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It comes after Trump threatened to send the National Guard into Chicago as part of a crackdown on crime.
Alluding to the plans, the president said: “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.”
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Kirk was a close ally of the Trump administration, even being hailed as instrumental in creating a younger conservative movement and getting Trump elected to the White House for a second term.
Trump reacted strongly to Kirk's death on 10 September, posting on his Truth Social platform: "The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie.
"He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us."
The aftermath of Kirk's death has seen Jimmy Kimmel Live cancelled after the host claimed that Trump and his supporters had been exploiting Kirk's death for political gain.
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22-year-old Tyler Robinson has also been taken into custody and stands accused of Kirk's murder, with him facing the death penalty for his alleged crime.
Topics: News, US News, Donald Trump, Charlie Kirk
Kit Roberts