FBI’s Kash Patel Shuts Down ‘Conspiracy Theories’ About Charlie Kirk: ‘We Only Deal With Facts’
FBI Director Kash Patel on Wednesday dismissed the wave of online conspiracy theories surrounding the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, emphasizing that federal investigators are focused on “facts” and “justice,” not speculation.
Kirk was gunned down on September 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University, in what investigators have described as a politically motivated assassination. Authorities identified the shooter as Tyler Robinson, a young man who lived with his “transgender partner,” 22-year-old Lance Twiggs, who is reportedly cooperating with federal authorities.
Since Kirk’s death, rumors have circulated online suggesting Robinson may not have acted alone, or that foreign actors were involved — theories Patel swiftly rejected during a press briefing at the Oval Office alongside President Donald Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi.
“The only thing we deal with at the FBI and DOJ is facts,” Patel said. “We delivered in record speed a manhunt to capture Charlie Kirk’s alleged assassin in 33 hours. If you put that in perspective to Luigi Mangione or the Boston bomber, they took them five days — and a police officer lost their life in the manhunt.”
Patel said the investigation remains active but underscored that the bureau’s commitment is to truth and accountability. “We are running on absolutely every single lead, and the best thing we can do to honor my friend Charlie Kirk’s life is to make sure everyone involved is prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” he said. “That’s what we are focused on — investigating the facts, not trading in conspiracy theories.”
The comments came one day after President Trump posthumously awarded Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a moving Rose Garden ceremony attended by Kirk’s family, friends, and members of Turning Point USA. The event was held on what would have been Kirk’s 32nd birthday.
“Five weeks ago, our nation was robbed of this extraordinary champion,” Trump said. “He was assassinated in the prime of his life for boldly speaking the truth, for living his faith, and for relentlessly fighting for a better and stronger America.”
Trump described Kirk as “a martyr for truth and freedom” and said he cut short his Middle East peace trip to personally honor him. “It was a horrible, heinous, demonic act of murder,” Trump said. “He loved this country, and that’s why it’s my privilege to posthumously award Charles James Kirk our nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.”
Erika Kirk, Charlie’s widow, spoke through tears as she thanked Trump and praised her husband’s unwavering dedication to his country and faith. The event closed with a standing ovation as the president vowed that Kirk’s legacy “will live on forever in the hearts of millions of Americans who loved him.”