WASHINGTON – On Sunday, Utah Governor Spencer Cox mentioned in a call with President Trump, he felt the president was “satisfied” after the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Trump, at 79, reached out to Cox, 50, following a Republican governor’s press conference on Friday regarding the arrest of Kirk’s murderer, according to the governor.
The president expressed his anger over the killing of Kirk, a close friend and a significant proponent of conservatism among youth, Cox said.
“It was a lengthy, calm conversation. We discussed a lot of things,” Cox told CNN’s “The State of the Union.”
When anchor Dana Bash inquired about Trump’s statements during the call, Cox said, “He’s not wrong,” referring to the president’s sentiments.
Cox complimented Trump’s handling of the situation, adding that Trump, who had been a victim of gun violence himself just a year prior, could relate deeply to the emotional turmoil surrounding Kirk’s death.
Although Cox didn’t fully confirm Trump’s exact words, he hinted at a mutual understanding of the gravity of the tragedy.
“He mentioned appreciating the press conference and our messages,” Cox noted, and acknowledged Trump’s expression of anger, given their personal friendship.
Kirk, a 31-year-old conservative influencer, was fatally shot while engaging with a student during his “American Comeback Tour” at Utah Valley University.
Authorities arrested 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, a trade school student, after a lengthy manhunt. Robinson did not cooperate with law enforcement, as stated by Cox.
Trump has called for the death penalty for Robinson, attributing the murder to what he described as “radical left” influences, pointing out that Robinson is “deeply entrenched in leftist ideology.”
Cox, who has previously disagreed with Republican leaders, mentioned that Trump thanked him numerous times for his statements about Kirk’s assassination and that the White House had asked him to participate in a public show of support.
The governor criticized social media for radicalizing individuals to the point of violence and emphasized the harmful impact of algorithms, particularly on children. He described the danger as akin to cancer.
Utah Republicans expressed hope that the media would highlight Trump’s call for non-violence following the tragic event.
Governor Cox acknowledged facing backlash from right-wing figures, including Steve Bannon, regarding his calls for less aggressive rhetoric. He reflected on the anger such an appeal might provoke.
“I think social media has a direct connection to the assassinations and attempts we’ve seen over recent years. It’s crucial we recognize how harmful these algorithms can be,” he concluded.
