Charlie Kirk, the prominent conservative activist and staunch Trump ally who cofounded Turning Point USA, was fatally shot Wednesday while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University.

President Trump confirmed the death of Kirk, a key player in his unlikely second election to the presidency last year, on his Truth Social account.

“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,” Trump wrote.

“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!”

The attack came against the disturbing backdrop of rising political violence throughout the country, a pattern that includes the deadly attack on Trump’s own life by a lone gunman in Butler, Pa., just 15 months ago.

Kirk, 31, is survived by his wife, Erika, and two children.

The killing of the conservative activist raises troubling questions about political violence and the hardening lines in American politics that increasingly leaves political opponents acting like one another’s enemies.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) led a moment of silence for Kirk upon hearing the news.

“We ask everyone to pray for him and his family. I'm just going to say state the obvious here: This is detestable, what’s happened. Political violence has become all too common in American society, and this is not who we are,” Johnson said.

Yet the moment of silence itself highlighted political divisions.

After the moment of silence, Johnson recognized Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.).

“I believe that silent prayers get silent results,” Boebert said. “Is there someone who could lead us in a moment of prayer out loud for Charlie and his family —”

Groans and a shout of “no” broke out as Boebert continued, “— and the victims in Colorado,” in an apparent reference to a Wednesday shooting at a high school in Colorado.

A lawmaker who appeared........

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