MaddowBlog-Trump's Charlie Kirk response was a missed opportunity

[LetMyPeopleVote]

If we’re going to do something about political violence, it’s going to take responsible leadership. The president has yet to provide that leadership.

In 2018, after one of his followers targeted several Democrats with mail bombs, Trump was asked whether this might lead to a shift in his tone.

“Tone down?” he replied. “No. Could tone up.”

This came to mind anew last night, as he flunked yet another leadership test.
www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddo...

— Steve Benen (@stevebenen.com) 2025-09-11T13:00:37.430Z

https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/remarks-charlie-kirks-death-trump-flunks-yet-another-leadership-test-rcna230551

If the United States is going to do something about political violence and pull the nation back from a dangerous cliff, it’s going to take sustained, sober and responsible leadership.

There is no reason to believe the incumbent American president intends to provide that leadership. NBC News reported:

While politicians of both parties largely coalesced to mourn Charlie Kirk after he was shot and killed Wednesday at a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University, President Donald Trump blamed the ‘radical left’ for the conservative activist’s death.

As of this writing, no one has been arrested for Kirk’s slaying. By all accounts, there remains great uncertainty as to who was responsible and what motivated the deadly shooting......

The New York Times’ David French noted earlier this year that Trump “is at his absolute worst in a crisis.” The columnist, whose observation was unrelated to deadly gun violence, added in reference to the president, “He is not a man who is ready to meet important and dangerous moments.”

The Republican keeps proving the point. When there was a deadly hurricane in North Carolina, he flunked a leadership test. When there was a deadly attack in New Orleans, he flunked again. When responding to deadly fires in California, he flunked again. In the wake of the Flight 5342 crash, he flunked again. In the wake of the recent murders in Minnesota, he flunked again.

And in the aftermath of Kirk’s death, nothing, in fact, has changed.

[malaise]

1. Just wait until you see his remarks this morning

That is all

[Arazi]

2. Au contraire, Traitor exploited this opportunity masterfully

Pitch perfect in fact.

“How To Rile Up The Cult 101”

[Irish_Dem]

3. Trump wants a civil war.

Benefits Russia and China.
And how Trump can steal more money and power.

[Johonny]

4. Dont we all think it was an opportunity taken advantage of

Trump in no way wants to tone down the rhetoric. This was exactly what many in Trumps cabinet wanted. It wasn't a foreign terror attack, but it was enough to justify what is to come.

Not a missed opportunity at all. They have different motives.

[Turbineguy]

5. Trump never misses a chance

to make things worse.

[D_Master81]

6. He's not the President of the country

He’s the President of the MAGA cult. His concern ends where his support ends. If you don’t support him he doesn’t care to show concern. Nothing he said was surprising even if I had hoped he’d show an ounce of presidential leadership

[Progressive dog]

7. Trump doesn't miss opportunities to do good

he skips them.

[Blue Full Moon]

8. The point is allow violence against the left

[Solly Mack]

9. You can't flunk a test you aren't taking. Trump doesn't care about those things. He mocks those

who think he should care.