Ivanka Trump offered a rare and emotional interview on CNBC’s Squawk Box in tribute to Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist recently assassinated at a campus event. She described his death as deeply shocking and deeply personal, recalling their nearly decade-long friendship and his role as a principled advocate for free speech. She said it was heartbreaking that his persuasive voice had been silenced at a moment when meaningful debate is so rare.

Trump praised Kirk for welcoming opposing views and never shrinking from disagreement. She said his intellect and words were his “sword,” making him a powerful—but peaceful—force in political discourse. She said his killing has reignited national concern over political violence. During the interview, she spoke with visible emotion about Kirk’s widow, Erika, and their two young children. She urged the moment be a turning point: that Americans reject political violence and recommit to civil, open dialogue, something Kirk had embodied.

Reflecting on modern politics, Trump warned against isolation and speech suppression, particularly in the social media age. She argued that avoiding hard conversations leads to societal decay. These remarks were notable not only for their content but also because Trump has largely remained publicly silent since leaving political office in 2021, focusing on family and private life.

She concluded by reaffirming Kirk’s legacy: calling him courageous and essential to conservative values. “Charlie was one of the best,” she said, urging Americans not to let his voice—and what it stood for—fade into silence.