Trump: ‘Radical Left Lunatics’ Standing in the Way of National Healing
President Donald Trump said Saturday that the biggest obstacle to America’s healing is the radical left, which he described as a group of “lunatics” who refuse to play fair.
“I’d like to see it [the nation] heal,” Trump told NBC News. “But we’re dealing with a radical left group of lunatics, and they don’t play fair and they never did.”
The president, who survived at least two assassination attempts during the 2024 campaign, has repeatedly warned that left-wing extremism is the chief driver of political violence. On Thursday, Trump said his focus remains squarely on rooting out violence from the left.
“I’m really concerned for our country. We have a great country. We have a radical left group of lunatics out there, just absolute lunatics, and we’re going to get that problem solved. I’m only concerned for the country,” Trump said while leaving the White House.
Trump has urged his supporters — particularly the millions of young conservatives inspired by Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk — to honor Kirk’s legacy with “nonviolence.” Kirk, 31, was assassinated Wednesday while engaging in debate at Utah Valley University. Vigils and memorials have since been held nationwide.
Evidence from the investigation strongly suggests Kirk was targeted over politics. The rifle used in the attack was recovered nearby with shell casings engraved with left-wing slogans. One read, “Hey Fascist! Catch!” while another bore lyrics from the Italian anti-fascist anthem “Bella Ciao.”
Utah Governor Spencer Cox confirmed Saturday that the suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, was “deeply indoctrinated with leftist ideology.” Family members told investigators Robinson had grown increasingly political in recent years and expressed a particular hatred toward Kirk. At a recent dinner, Robinson had openly complained about Kirk and mentioned the conservative leader’s upcoming campus event in Utah.
The Utah Valley appearance was part of Kirk’s signature “Prove Me Wrong” tour, in which he invited critics to challenge him directly in open debate — a hallmark of his approach to engaging young Americans on college campuses.
Trump has vowed that Kirk’s assassin will face the “full wrath of the American justice system” and that the country will not bow to political violence. RELATED: Donald Trump Jr. Says Kirk Assassination A Sign Leftists ‘Have Lost The Debate Entirely’