Trump admin updates: Trump at Charlie Kirk memorial service

The president and several of his Cabinet officials will speak at the service.

Last Updated: September 21, 2025, 4:09 PM EDT

President Donald Trump is among those who will speak Sunday at the memorial service for conservative activist Charlie Cook, who was assassinated last week.

On his way out of the White House Sunday morning, Trump defended Attorney General Pam Bondi for doing a "great job" after appearing to criticize her the day before over the lack of prosecutions against his political opponents.

On Friday, Trump spoke with Chinese President Xi about a variety of topics, including trade and the TikTok deal.

Sep 18, 2025, 10:57 AM EDT

Trump says US getting 'tremendous fee' for TikTok deal

President Donald Trump said he's speaking with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday to "see if we can finalize something on TikTok."

Trump said under the framework for the deal, TikTok would be owned by "all American investors" and that the United States would get a "tremendous fee."

Donald Trump speaks during a joint press conference with Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer (unseen) following their meeting at Chequers, in Aylesbury, central England, on September 18, 2025.
Andrew Caballero-reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

Sep 18, 2025, 10:46 AM EDT

Trump says Putin has 'let me down'

President Donald Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin has "let me down" when asked what's next in his aim to end the Russia-Ukraine war.

"I mean, he's killing many people, and he's losing more people that he's, you know, than he's killing. I mean, frankly, the Russian soldiers are being killed at a higher rate than the Ukrainian soldiers, but, yeah, he's let me down," Trump said at the news conference.

Donald Trump speaks during a joint press conference with Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer (unseen) following their meeting at Chequers, in Aylesbury, central England, on September 18, 2025.
Andrew Caballero-reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

"I am very disappointed in the fact that that one is not settled," Trump added.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, "We have to put extra pressure on Putin. And it's only when the president has put pressure on Putin that he's actually shown any inclination to move. So we have to ramp that pressure up."

Sep 18, 2025, 10:42 AM EDT

Trump says he disagrees with UK on Palestinian statehood

President Donald Trump was asked by a reporter, "As the killing in Gaza continues, it often seems that you're the only person that Israel will listen to. What more can you say to them to tell them to stop? And why is the U.K.'s position on a Palestinian state, in your view, wrong?"

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he and Trump discussed the issue, and that they agree on the need for peace. Starmer called the situation in Gaza "intolerable."

"Well, simply, I want the hostages released now, right now," Trump said.

On the United Kingdom moving to recognize Palestinian statehood, Trump said he has a "a disagreement with the prime minister on that score."

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer hands the floor to Donald Trump at a joint press conference following their meeting at Chequers, in Aylesbury, central England, on September 18, 2025.
Andrew Caballero-reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

Sep 18, 2025, 10:34 AM EDT

Trump says he told Charlie Kirk he had good chance at being president one day

President Donald Trump closed his opening remarks at a press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer by commenting on the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

"Just last week, a great American, Charlie Kirk, was heinously assassinated for speaking his mind," Trump said. "He was a great young man. Incredible future. Some people said he might be president someday. I told him, I said, 'Charlie, I think if you have a good shot someday being president.'

"I've never seen anybody relate to youth like Charlie, and they related to him, and they're devastated. But I appreciate the many British citizens who have offered their condolences. And again, Charlie was a great person. We'll be going out to a service on Sunday ... But I hope that together, our nations can lead a movement to defend the glorious traditions of freedom on both sides of the Atlantic."

Donald Trump attends a joint press conference with Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, following their meeting at Chequers, in Aylesbury, central England, on September 18, 2025.
Andrew Caballero-reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

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