Mary Trump, niece of President Donald Trump, responded to comments made by the president after a reporter asked him how he is holding up following the death of Charlie Kirk.
“I think very good,” President Trump said in comments to reporters. “And by the way, right there you see all the trucks. They just started construction of the new ballroom for the White House, which is something they’ve been trying to get, as you know, for about 150 years. And it’s going to be a beauty. It’ll be an absolutely magnificent structure.”
Q: My condolences on the loss of your friend Charlie Kirk. How are you holding up?
TRUMP: I think very good. And by the way, right there you see all the trucks. They just started construction of the new ballroom for the White House, which is something they’ve been trying to get… pic.twitter.com/Jrw4j2fnVZ
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 12, 2025
Mary Trump wrote on X, “This is quite the display of grief.”
Why It Matters
Mary Trump has been a vocal critic of her uncle. She has written multiple books about President Trump and the Trump family.
Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File
What To Know
Kirk, a conservative activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. He was 31.
President Trump said on Fox and Friends on Friday that he was holding a meeting about building the new White House ballroom when he learned about the shooting from his aides. Trump said he then ended the meeting.
“I just told these people, ‘Get out, you gotta go,'” Trump said.
President Trump paid tribute to Kirk on Truth Social on Wednesday, writing, “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. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”
He also called Kirk a “GIANT of his generation” on Thursday.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox said at a press conference on Friday that Tyler Robinson was taken into custody in connection with the fatal shooting.
Robinson allegedly fled the scene, prompting officials to launch a multi-day search.
A family member of Robinson was interviewed by investigators, Cox said. The family member said Robinson had become more political in recent years and mentioned to another family member at a dinner that Kirk was coming to Utah Valley University.
The family member said Robinson said he did not like Kirk and the viewpoints he held, according to the governor.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump, speaking about Charlie Kirk on Fox and Friends on Friday: “He loved young people, he wanted to help young people, and he didn’t deserve this. He was truly a good person.”
FBI Director Kash Patel, at a press conference on Friday: “The FBI and our partners are proud to stand here today together to bring justice to the family of Charlie Kirk and honor his memory.”
What Happens Next
Cox said Tyler Robinson “will be charged soon and will be held accountable” and that the suspect was booked into the Utah County Jail. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
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