The New York Yankees paused before their game against the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday night to honour Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, who was assassinated earlier in the day during a speaking event at Utah Valley University.
A photo of Kirk was displayed on the Yankee Stadium jumbotron with the words “remembering Charlie Kirk” as players and fans observed a moment of silence.
The team later confirmed the tribute on social media: “Before tonight’s game we held a moment of silence in memoriam of Charlie Kirk. Kirk founded the youth activist group ‘Turning Point USA’ and had become a fixture on college campuses. Charlie Kirk, a husband and father of two children, was 31 years old.”
Kirk, a right-wing talk show host and political organiser, launched Turning Point USA in 2012. He had become a high-profile figure on campuses across the country and spoke at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in 2024.
Law enforcement officials said Kirk was shot while addressing a crowd from under a white pop-up tent at Utah Valley University. Video from the event appeared to show the moment gunfire erupted, with attendees shouting “Run, run, run!” as they scattered. Kirk was transported to hospital in critical condition but later declared dead.
President Donald Trump, a long-time ally of Kirk, confirmed the news of his death on Truth Social.
“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,” Trump wrote. “Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”
In a separate video message filmed from behind the Resolute Desk, Trump described the assassination as “a dark moment for America” and said he was “filled with grief and anger at the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk on a college campus in Utah.” He went on to blame the “radical left” for inflammatory rhetoric against Kirk and others on the right.
Kirk’s killing prompted emotional responses far beyond politics. Former Yankee Mark Teixeira and New York Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart were among sports figures who paid tribute, joining thousands of others expressing shock and condolences.
The Yankees confirmed that heightened security will be in place when Trump attends Thursday night’s series finale against the Tigers, which also coincides with ceremonies marking the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks.
“Ticketed guests are strongly urged to arrive as early as possible and should budget extra time for entry due to enhanced security measures at all Yankee Stadium gates and entrances,” the team said on X.
It will be the final game of the three-game series, with Detroit having dominated the first two contests, outscoring New York 23–3.
Kirk, remembered as a husband, father of two, and political influencer who rose to national prominence in his early 20s, was just 31 years old. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.
Featured image credit: X (screenshot)
