Trump rails against opponents in Charlie Kirk tribute after Erika Kirk says she forgives shooting suspect – as it happened
Summary
Donald Trump declined to deliver a message of national unity when he addressed tens of thousands of people gathered for the memorial to honor Charlie Kirk on Sunday – instead exclaiming that he “hates my opponents” and “doesn’t want what’s best for them”.
Here are the key moments of the day at a glance:
- Donald Trump berated his political opponents in a speech that was part tribute and part a catalogue of grievances. The president praised Kirk as an “American martyr”, calling him “a giant of his generation”.
- But Trump also talked about sending troops to Chicago, making a major autism announcement and complained about the outrage sparked by the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night comedy show. He hit out at the “radical left” and Joe Biden in a freewheeling address that was reminiscent of a campaign speech.
- Elon Musk was spotted meeting Trump on the sidelines of the event. The two men shook hands months after a public falling out.
- Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, publicly forgave the person charged with killed her husband. Appearing to talk about the suspect, she told the crowd: “That man, that young man, I forgive him. I forgive him because it was what Christ did and it is what Charlie would do.”
- JD Vance was among speakers at the event, making multiple references to conservative talking points including anti-abortion sentiments and religiously-guided family values. Vance said: “He brought the truth that marriage and family were the highest callings, far more important than any job or educational credential.”
- Other notable speakers included Pete Hegseth (who called Kirk a “warrior for Christ” in a decidedly martial speech; Marco Rubio, who compared Kirk to historical figures including Jesus; and White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, who told unspecified “enemies” that “You are nothing. You are wickedness”.
- Donald Trump Jr used his speech to claim ‘we don’t silence’ opponents. Dozens of workers across the country, ranging from journalists to popular late-night show host Jimmy Kimmel, have been penalized as employers and public officials crack down on remarks that they regard as “inappropriate” towards Kirk.
- Some 100,000 people are thought to have attended in and around the State Farm arena in Glendale, Arizona. Several attendees were leaving the stadium while Trump was speaking. Many in the crowd had turned up before dawn to secure a seat. By the time the event finished, they had been there more than 12 hours.
theguardian.com
Trump says he thinks ‘they’ve found the answer’ to autism in shocking sidetrack at Charlie Kirk memorial
Donald Trump's speech at Charlie Kirk's memorial took a bizarre turn
unilad.com
One of the things Jimmy Kimmel was castigated for, pointing out Trump's bizarre boasting and directing attention to himself in the middle of something where the audience is focused on the victim and grief.
Mental health professionals are unable to definitively diagnose public figures like Donald Trump without a personal examination. However, many mental health experts have observed that his public behaviors align with characteristics associated with psychopathy, and recent academic studies have explored public perception of these traits.
The Goldwater Rule
The American Psychiatric Association's "Goldwater Rule" is a long-standing ethical guideline that prohibits mental health professionals from offering a professional opinion on a public figure's mental health without having personally conducted an evaluation. The rule was enacted after a 1964 magazine article surveyed psychiatrists on candidate Barry Goldwater's fitness for office.
Public commentary on Trump and psychopathic traits
Despite the Goldwater Rule, some mental health experts have publicly discussed how Trump's well-documented behavior and speech appear to exhibit traits associated with psychopathy, while clarifying that they are not making a formal diagnosis. Some of the traits and behaviors cited by these professionals include:
- Deceitfulness: Repeated lying, manipulation, and use of deception for personal gain.
- Lack of remorse or empathy: An apparent indifference to the suffering or feelings of others.
- Grandiosity and egocentricity: A powerful sense of self-importance and a need for constant admiration, along with an exaggerated view of talents and achievements.
- Irresponsibility and lack of conscience: A consistent pattern of neglecting obligations and violating societal rules and laws without guilt.
- Impulsivity and poor behavioral control: Acting on immediate stimuli without considering the potential consequences.
- Hostility and aggressiveness: A tendency toward irritable, nasty, and vengeful behavior.
- Superficial charm: The ability to appear charming and build rapport on the surface, which masks darker motivations.
Academic studies and public perception
Several academic studies have explored public perception of psychopathic and other "Dark Tetrad" traits (psychopathy, narcissism, Machiavellianism, and sadism) in Donald Trump:
- A 2024 study in ScienceDirect examined how voters attributed these traits to both Trump and Joe Biden. It found that voters perceived Trump as more narcissistic, psychopathic, and sadistic than Biden.
- Research published in PsyPost in January 2025 found that American voters, regardless of political affiliation, perceived Trump as having traits associated with sadistic and narcissistic personality disorders.
- A study cited by the University of Oxford in 2016 used the Psychopathic Personality Inventory to score presidential candidates. It placed Trump high on traits that contribute to a psychopathic character.
The distinction between psychopathy and Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD)
In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), there is no formal diagnosis of "psychopathy." Instead, the closest diagnostic equivalent is Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD), which focuses primarily on observable behaviors like lying, aggression, and irresponsibility.
Psychopathy, as measured by tools like the Hare Psychopathy Checklist–Revised (PCL-R), is a broader construct that includes both the behavioral traits of ASPD and more internal, affective traits like lack of empathy and remorse. Mental health experts analyzing Trump's public record have argued his behaviors align with this broader psychopathic profile, not just the behavioral criteria for ASPD. |
