Vice President Vance Recalls Informing President Trump of Charlie Kirk's Assassination

Vice President JD Vance recounted the moment he informed President Donald Trump of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Vance described the experience as a "very tough moment," noting that he delivered the news in the Oval Office while comforting White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.

"I was the person who walked into the Oval Office and said, 'Mr. President, I'm sorry but Charlie's passed,'" Vance recalled during an interview with Fox News' Jesse Watters. He added, "That was a very tough moment."

Vance detailed that he had just concluded a meeting in his West Wing office when he received multiple messages around 2:30 p.m. on September 10. Upon checking his phone, he saw numerous group chats, many including Kirk, with messages expressing concern and prayers. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Vance opened his door and was informed that Kirk had been shot.

The Vice President and his team spent the next hour seeking confirmation on Kirk's condition. They contacted Kirk's chief of staff, Mikey McCoy, but received disjointed information. Vance noted a brief period of optimism from hospital reports before learning of Kirk's death approximately an hour later.

Upon receiving confirmation, Vance proceeded to the Oval Office to inform President Trump. He found Wiles in tears and embraced her, acknowledging the emotional weight of the moment. Vance observed that President Trump remained "very stoic," absorbing the news quietly before expressing, "Man, he was a good guy and we really loved him."

Reflecting on the incident, Vance shared that he watched a video of the assassination once but chose not to view it again, stating, "I don't want to see that happen to my friend ever again." He also paid tribute to Kirk, highlighting their friendship and Kirk's influence on his own political journey.