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Donald Trump skipped the vigil for Charlie Kirk in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, which was attended by dozens of high-profile Republicans
The president, a longtime friend of Kirk’s, instead spent his weekend at his Trump National Golf Course in Bedminster, N.J.
Despite missing the vigil, Trump plans to attend Kirk’s memorial service in Arizona on Sept. 21
Donald Trump missed Charlie Kirk’s massive vigil at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.
The president opted out of attending the vigil for Kirk — a longtime supporter of his who was fatally shot at a college event on Sept. 10 — which was held in Washington, D.C., on Sunday night, instead using that window of time to travel home from the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J.
Kirk’s vigil began at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 14 at the Kennedy Center, roughly 1.5 miles from the White House. Trump returned from his golf club to the White House around 8 p.m.
The president still plans to attend Kirk’s official memorial in Arizona on Sept. 21.
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Charlie Kirk’s vigil at the Kennedy Center on Sept. 14, 2025
Though Trump was not in attendance at the vigil, many Trump administration officials and MAGA Congress members attended to pay their respects to the late conservative activist.
Notable Trump allies at the vigil included House Speaker Mike Johnson, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
At the vigil, Leavitt spoke for the president, noting that Trump “loved” Kirk “so much.” RFK Jr. also added that he and Kirk were “spiritual brothers” and “soulmates.”
One day after Kirk’s death, Trump traveled to New York City for the anniversary of 9/11 and attended a Yankees game. He did a live interview with Fox & Friends on Friday morning then traveled to Bedminster for the remainder of the weekend.
While in New Jersey, Trump attended the “Hope Through Education” gala on Saturday, Sept. 13. At the event, the president addressed Kirk’s assassination and Tyler Robinson, the individual accused of the shooting.
It’s unclear whether Trump actually golfed during his recent visit to the club, which he has frequently used as a summer home.
JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty
Donald Trump and Charlie Kirk in December 2024.
Kirk and Trump were longtime allies. Kirk spoke in support of Trump at the 2024 Republican National Convention and is credited with galvanizing young people toward conservatism through his organization, Turning Point USA, The Hill reported.
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Trump has also spoken at many events for Turning Point USA, and Kirk had been seen repeatedly at the White House since Trump returned to office in January. Hours after Kirk was shot, Trump broke the news that his friend had died, and the president later said he will award Kirk a posthumous Medal of Freedom.
White House chief of staff Susie Wiles called Kirk the “highest-profile MAGA person outside of those that are working here” and “very much part of this [MAGA] family.”
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