Ivanka Trump, daughter of President Donald Trump, gave a rare television interview on CNBC’s Squawk Box to honor the late Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA who was recently assassinated. Trump described Kirk’s death as “deeply personal,” noting her nearly decade-long friendship with him. She praised Kirk as a man of principle who championed free speech and civil discourse, emphasizing that he was targeted “for being so persuasive.”
Throughout the interview, Trump highlighted Kirk’s dedication to open dialogue and respectful debate, qualities she said should be the standard in American politics. She admired his willingness to engage with people who disagreed with him, arguing that Kirk’s ideas spoke for themselves and that he never relied on personal attacks. “His tongue, his brain, that was his sword,” she said, pointing to his commitment to ideological battles through words, not violence.
Kirk’s assassination, which took place during a campus event attended by thousands, has shaken the conservative movement and sparked broader concerns about rising political violence in the United States. CNBC co-host Rebecca Quick noted that such acts are at their highest levels since the 1960s. Trump called Kirk’s death a “wake-up call,” urging Americans to reflect on the normalization of extreme political violence and echoing the kind of conversations Kirk himself would have led.
Ivanka grew emotional while discussing Kirk’s family, particularly his widow Erika and their two children. She commended his love for his family and described the loss as “heartbreaking.” Her appearance and emotional tone underscored the personal nature of the tragedy and its impact on those close to Kirk.
When asked about the broader implications of political division, especially in the era of social media, Trump acknowledged the difficulty of reversing hostile rhetoric. However, she stressed that dialogue is essential for a functioning democracy. “Once we stop talking to one another, it all breaks down,” she warned, emphasizing that fear of free speech undermines societal cohesion.
Ivanka Trump has largely stepped away from public political life since the end of her father’s first term in 2021. Although she remains supportive of his presidency, she has repeatedly said she wants to focus on her children and private life. Still, her tribute to Kirk served as both a eulogy for a close friend and a call to restore civility in American political discourse.
