Utah governor designates Sept. 10 as ‘Charlie Kirk Day’ 1 year after assassination

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox announced Thursday that Sept. 10 would be known as “Charlie Kirk Day” in Utah, a year after the political commentator was assassinated in the state.

“One year ago today, Charlie Kirk came to Utah to take part in a fundamental American tradition: speak openly, debate ideas, and persuade others,” he said on social platform X . “Today, we honor Charlie’s memory by choosing a politics worthy of our country, one where we stand firmly for what we believe and reject violence.”

“September 10, 2026, is officially Charlie Kirk Day in Utah,” he concluded.

Kirk’s conservative nonprofit Turning Point USA — which was taken over by his widow, Erika Kirk — is expected to convene at Utah Valley University later Thursday to remember him.

Charlie Kirk will also be honored Thursday at the Republican National Committee’s midterm convention in Dallas, where President Trump said Wednesday night , “We will not let them win. And in Charlie’s honor, I just want to say we love you, Charlie.”

Kirk was killed while hosting one of his “Prove Me Wrong” debates at Utah Valley University. Tyler Robinson is on trial in the slaying on seven charges , including aggravated murder.

Utah District Judge Tony Graf approved the aggravated murder charge , which under state law makes Robinson eligible for the death penalty. In the state of Utah, aggravated murder must involve at least one “ statutory aggravating factor ” — such as the defendant holding previous violent crime convictions or in cases of the killing of a minor.

In Robinson’s case, prosecutors accused the shooter of posing “a great risk of death” to others, an eligible statutory factor, during Kirk’s killing.