Trump Says Shooter Charlie Kirk In Custody ‘With High Degree Of Certainty’ While Also Warning Putin

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent

WARSAW/BUDAPEST/NEW YORK (Worthy News) – U.S. President Donald J. Trump said Friday the suspected shooter who assassinated born-again Christian conservative activist Charlie Kirk is “with a high degree of certainty” in custody, while also warning Russian President Vladimir Putin that his patience is “sort of running out and running out fast.”

Trump made the remarks during a live interview at the New York studio of broadcaster Fox News. “With a high degree of certainty, we have him in custody,” the president said when asked about the killing of the 31-year-old co-founder of Turning Point USA.

The president reiterated his support for the death penalty in the case, despite divisions among Christians on the issue. “I hope the shooter gets the death penalty,” Trump added.

Kirk was fatally shot on September 10 while addressing students at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, as part of his “American Comeback Tour.” He left behind a wife and young children, sparking widespread mourning among supporters and political opponents alike.

Besides talking about Kirk, Trump also came with a strongly worded warning to Putin after Polish authorities said at least 19 Russian drones deliberately violated Polish airspace during a wider Russian assault on Ukraine this week.

PUTIN WARNING

“It’s sort of running out and running out fast,” Trump said about his patience with Putin. “We’re going to have to come down very, very strong.”

Pressed on possible responses, Trump said sanctions on Russian banks and oil were an option, along with new tariffs, but stressed that European nations must also shoulder responsibility. “But I’ve already done it. I’ve done a lot,” Trump noted, pointing out that India — one of the biggest buyers of Russian oil — was already facing a 50 percent tariff on its exports to the U.S. “That’s not an easy thing to do. That’s a big deal and it causes a rift with India,” he told the Fox & Friends program. “And remember this, this is a Europe problem, much more than our problem.”

The ongoing war began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, following years of tensions after Moscow seized Ukraine’s Crimea peninsula in 2014 and backed pro-Russian separatist forces in the east.

Polish Deputy Defence Minister Cezary Tomczyk stressed there was “no question of a mistake — this was a deliberate Russian attack.” Prime Minister Donald Tusk added: “We would also wish that the drone attack on Poland was a mistake. But it wasn’t. And we know it.”

The Dutch Ministry of Defence confirmed that Polish and Dutch fighter jets shot down several of the Russian drones that entered NATO airspace. Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans said the action showed Russia’s aggression “poses a broader threat to Europe,” stressing that Dutch F-35 pilots had proven their “professional and effective” ability to defend NATO territory. German Patriot missile units in Poland were also placed on high alert, while Italian and Alliance aircraft provided aerial refueling and early warning support.

NATO RESPONSE

NATO said the operation demonstrated the alliance’s “readiness and ability to defend Alliance territory.”

Trump, asked about the Polish incident, still suggested he hopes to strike a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. “It does take two to tango,” he said. “It’s amazing when Putin wants to do it, [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelensky didn’t. When Zelenskyy wanted to do it, Putin didn’t. Now Zelenskyy wants to, and Putin is a question mark.”

Russia dismissed Warsaw’s accusations, calling the claims “nothing new,” while NATO allies reiterated their support for Poland’s sovereignty. The United Nations Security Council was due to hold an emergency session at Poland’s request over the drone incursions.

In Friday’s interview, Trump also addressed growing concerns about crime in U.S. cities and announced plans to deploy the National Guard to Memphis, Tennessee, vowing: “We’ll straighten that out.” His broader crackdown on crime began with federal forces taking over security duties in the nation’s capital, Washington D.C.

His remarks came as tributes to the assassinated Charlie Kirk continued to pour in from Christian leaders, with churches across Utah holding vigils.

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