Politics

Stephen Colbert opened "The Late Show" Wednesday with a somber note, paying respect to Charlie Kirk following his death and sending his condolences to his family and loved ones.

He also shared a sobering message with viewers, noting Wednesday's senseless shooting is reminiscent to the political violence he viewed in the 1960s.

He said ... "I hope it is obvious to everyone in America that political violence does not solve any of our political differences. Political violence only leads to more political violence, and I pray with all my heart that this is the abhorrent action of a madman and not a sign of things to come."

Rep. Melanie Stansbury says President Trump and top Republicans are working together to prevent the public from getting to the bottom of the Jeffrey Epstein case.

The Congresswoman from New Mexico joined us on "TMZ Live" Wednesday and we asked her about the Trump references in the Epstein birthday book that was just released by Congress.

Stansbury, a Democrat, says Trump has known what Epstein's been about for decades ... and she says the President is now working to prevent the full release of all the Epstein files.

Donald Trump gave an Oval Office address on Wednesday night lamenting the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk ... and warning that anyone involved with the political assassination would be brought to justice.

The president started his addresses by noting Charlie loved the country and was a deeply religious person who had a beautiful family ... before he turned his ire on liberals who he accused of creating violence with hateful rhetoric.

Calling him a "Martyr for Freedom" ... Trump said he lived and died for the values that are the bedrock of America, including free speech and the rule of law.

President Donald Trump is still deliberating whether or not to send National Guard troops to Chicago -- but G Herbo is telling him to round up the troops ... it's time to clean up the streets!!!

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with the Chicago-bred rap star at LAX on Wednesday, and he told us straight up he's all for military action if it'll keep the kids and women out of harm's way.

Herbo tells us he's a tax-paying citizen and you can hear the growth in his music ... his "Went Legit" single is already certified Gold after just several months on the streams.

2:22 PM PT -- Turning Point USA tells TMZ ... "It is with a heavy heart that we confirm that Charles James Kirk has been murdered by a gun shot that took place during Turning Point USA’s “The American Comeback Tour” campus event at Utah Valley University on September 10th, 2025.

May he be received into the merciful arms of our loving Savior who suffered and died for Charlie. We ask that everyone keep his family and loved ones in your prayers. We ask that you please respect their privacy and dignity in this time."

Charlie Kirk -- the controversial conservative commentator -- has died after being shot in the neck on a college campus, Donald Trump announced on social media.

POTUS made the announcement on his site Truth Social Wednesday afternoon, claiming Kirk had died after sustaining injuries from a shooting at the Utah Valley University campus in Orem, UT.

As you know ... Kirk was shot around 1 PM local time at a Q&A with students where hundreds of people, including some protesters, had gathered.

5:15 PM PT -- The person of interest connected to the Charlie Kirk fatal shooting is no longer in custody ... they've been released after talking to law enforcement.

FBI Director Kash Patel just posted on social media, "The subject in custody has been released after an interrogation by law enforcement. Our investigation continues and we will continue to release information in interest of transparency."

A person of interest connected to the Charlie Kirk shooting is in custody ... according officials in Utah.

At the press conference in Utah moments ago, Utah Governor Spencer Cox clarified that they have a person of interest in custody.

Shortly before the press conference, FBI Director Kash Patel posted to social media ... claiming a suspect was in custody.

Law enforcement is still searching for the person who shot Charlie Kirk, and new video might show the shooter's vantage point, as well as their escape from the scene.

This clip is making the rounds on social media right now ... and, it begins right after the fatal shot was fired as the assembled masses at Utah Valley University in Orem watch Charlie go down.

In the far background of the video -- atop a campus building -- it appears a figure is running from the area.

3:36 PM PT -- Utah's Department of Public Safety commissioner Beau Mason says there's an active investigation for the shooter, but minutes before he said that at the press conference, FBI director Kash Patel said on social media the shooter was in custody.

Utah governor Spencer Cox says this was a "political assassination" and there's a person of interest in custody ... seemingly backing up what Patel is saying.

Cox made it a point to say the death penalty is still on the table in Utah.

Authorities are sharing details on Charlie Kirk's fatal shooting in Utah ... and TMZ is streaming live.

The Utah Highway Patrol, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Utah Department of Public Safety are holding a joint press conference right now ... giving updates and answering questions.

Charlie was shot in the neck during an event on campus Wednesday at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah ... and video showed his body recoiling and blood gushing out.

The Utah Valley University men's soccer game scheduled for later Wednesday has been canceled ... after Charlie Kirk was shot on campus.

The school just announced the move ... explaining in a statement its tilt with UC Davis will not go forward "due to the active police situation" at the university.

The game "will not be made up," UVU officials announced.

1:36 PM PT -- Fox13 Salt Lake City has spoken with an official from the University who said the school has surveillance video of the shooter leaving campus.

1:27 PM PT -- A spokesperson for the University is changing their tune on whether the suspect is in custody. First, the rep said the man was in custody ... now the rep is saying he's not under arrest and has been released.

12:49 PM PT -- Kirk is in critical condition at the hospital, the Associated Press reports, citing a law enforcement official with knowledge.

12:19 PM PT -- Turning Point USA tells TMZ ... "This is an ongoing situation. We can confirm that Charlie Kirk has been shot. He is in the hospital, and we are praying for him at this time."

Charlie Kirk -- the controversial conservative activist -- has apparently been shot.

Kirk was appearing at Utah Valley University Wednesday when a shot rang out. Kirk was addressing a large crowd of students at the time. It appears thousands of students were watching Kirk when the shot rang out.

Kirk was shot in the neck. Just as the shot rang out, you see Kirk clutches his upper chest area. We have seen video of the impact and it is extremely graphic.

1:43 PM PT -- Donald Trump has issued a new statement, claiming Charlie Kirk has died following Wednesday's shooting at Utah Valley University.

He wrote 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. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!"

Washington D.C. is left rattled following the shooting of conservative pundit Charlie Kirk ... with several leaders speaking out in the aftermath of the violence.

As we reported ... the Turning Point USA founder was shot in the neck while addressing students at Utah Valley University on Wednesday ... and it didn't take long for politicians from both sides to condemn the attack.

Senator Mike Lee from Utah was one of the first to speak out, assuring his constituents that he was "tracking the situation" and calling for prayers for the conservative commentator.

Prince Harry has returned to the U.K. -- coming face-to-face with his estranged father, King Charles III, at Clarence House for the first time in over a year... a royal reunion that could signal a turning point.

The Duke of Sussex pulled up to his father’s London home around 5:20 PM on Wednesday in a black SUV... and reports say the two shared a private tea during a 55-minute sit-down.

Harry’s been busy in the U.K. this week -- hitting the WellChild Awards and paying tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at her burial site on the anniversary of her death -- before heading to London for their first face-to-face since Feb '24, when the King revealed his cancer diagnosis.

The sports world is stunned and devastated over the shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on Wednesday afternoon ... with notable figures sharing their prayers and reactions to the incident prior to the announcement of his death.

Names like Jake Paul, Le'Veon Bell, Dave Portnoy, Ryan Garcia, Riley Gaines, Bruce Pearl and Antonio Brown have taken to social media to address the shooting ... with each wishing the best for Kirk before President Donald Trump revealed the activist did not survive.

Paul wrote on X ... "Charlie Kirk got shot for telling the truth. That is literally it. What a mentally sick time we are living through We need god more than ever."

Donald Trump isn’t holding back on the man accused of murdering Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on a North Carolina train, he’s demanding the ultimate punishment -- death.

On Wednesday, Trump posted on Truth Social saying there’s no doubt suspected killer Decarlos Dejuan Brown Jr. deserves a speedy trial resulting in the death penalty -- 'cause there’s no excuse for taking the life of Iryna, an innocent woman who came to America seeking peace and safety.

Trump made sure to hammer home "the death penalty" in capital letters, making it loud and clear he’s serious about the consequences Decarlos should face.

Kamala Harris cuts to the chase in her upcoming book "107 Days" ... calling the decision to let President Biden decide whether to run for reelection pure "recklessness."

She candidly discusses the decision-making process in her new memoir -- The Atlantic published an excerpt Wednesday in which she admits everyone behind the scenes allowing Joe and his wife, Jill, to make the call was like they'd "all been hypnotized." Notably, she includes herself in that group.

Kamala adds ... "The stakes were simply too high. This wasn’t a choice that should have been left to an individual’s ego, an individual’s ambition. It should have been more than a personal decision."

President Trump just got heckled at a restaurant near the White House ... and the demonstrators are comparing POTUS to Adolf Hitler.

Ya gotta see this video from a fancy restaurant where Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are dining ... protesters are waving Palestinian flags and chanting.

The protesters are repeating, "Free D.C., free Palestine, Trump is the Hitler of our time."