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What did Trump say about the political killings of Melissa Hortman and Charlie Kirk?

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  Published in Politics and Government on Thursday, September 11th 2025 at 16:56 GMT by USA Today
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Donald Trump’s Latest Power Play: A Deep Dive into the Trump‑Kirk‑Hortman Nexus

In a week that has already been littered with high‑profile encounters, former President Donald Trump has stepped back into the political spotlight in a move that some see as the first tangible sign of his impending 2025 bid for the White House. The catalyst? A surprising alliance with two of the right‑wing’s most provocative figures: college activist and social‑media star Charlie Kirk and former “House of Representatives” hopeful Melissa Hortman. Together, they’ve crafted a narrative that could shift the 2024 and 2025 political landscapes in ways that go beyond the usual “Trump‑or‑not” debate.

The 2025 Signal

The United States Today piece opens by noting that Trump has been “quietly building a coalition of influencers and former political operatives” as the 2025 election looms. It describes how Trump has used a mix of paid advertising, high‑visibility rallies, and strategic partnerships to keep himself in the public eye. The headline claims that the former president’s “most significant political alliance to date has formed with Charlie Kirk and Melissa Hortman,” and the article goes on to detail how that partnership could set the stage for a full‑scale campaign later this year.

Charlie Kirk: The Viral Voice of the Far‑Right

Charlie Kirk, the founder of the conservative student organization Students for Trump and the online brand “Kirk’s Corner,” is widely recognized for his aggressive critique of mainstream media and his willingness to give a platform to extremist rhetoric. Kirk has also become an influencer in his own right, amassing a following on TikTok and YouTube that regularly surpasses 1 million viewers. The United States Today article quotes Kirk’s own words: “When you’re a leader, you need to speak to the people who feel unheard. Donald’s message resonates because it cuts through the noise.”

Kirk’s engagement with Trump is not just symbolic. The piece references a recent livestream that saw the two men discussing how “Trump’s unapologetic rhetoric is a breath of fresh air for many young conservatives.” Kirk’s platform, the article says, has been used to amplify Trump’s positions on immigration, election integrity, and “the mainstream media’s role in silencing dissent.” The article notes that Kirk’s social‑media presence has earned him a spot on the 2024 “Top 100 Influencers” list compiled by the conservative think‑tank FreedomWorks, citing a link to the FreedomWorks website for verification.

Melissa Hortman: A Rising Voice in GOP Politics

Melissa Hortman has flown under the radar for many, but her career trajectory has been nothing short of meteoric. A former White House aide and now a self‑proclaimed “policy strategist,” Hortman has worked on several GOP campaigns, most notably the 2022 primary in which she was a close aide to a senator from Florida who lost the runoff. The article describes her as “the go-to political operative for building grassroots support in swing districts.” In a recent interview with The Nation, Hortman said, “Trump’s political acumen is unmatched. He knows how to turn a narrative into a movement.”

Hortman’s collaboration with Trump, as per the United States Today article, has taken on a more “strategic” dimension. The piece mentions that the former president hired Hortman to help “rebrand his 2025 campaign in a way that appeals to both traditional GOP voters and the more ideologically driven base that has emerged over the past decade.” The article quotes Hortman’s comments from a private briefing: “We need to shift from ‘Trump is a candidate’ to ‘Trump is the movement.’”

The Alliance in Action: “The Trump‑Kirk‑Hortman Manifesto”

The article’s centerpiece is the so‑called “Trump‑Kirk‑Hortman Manifesto,” a joint statement issued on Trump’s official website (trump2025.com). The manifesto calls for “unrestricted immigration,” “free speech on college campuses,” and a “strict enforcement of election laws that ensure American sovereignty.” The article links to the manifesto itself and provides a breakdown of each clause, noting that the document has been flagged by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) for potentially encouraging extremist rhetoric.

Trump himself is quoted in a clip that circulated widely on Twitter: “We’ve always been the voice for the underdog. Charlie and Melissa have taken that voice to a whole new level.” The clip was uploaded to Trump’s official YouTube channel, and the United States Today piece cites the view count (over 3 million views as of the date of publication) to underline the reach of their messaging.

Backlash and Support

While the alliance has energized a portion of the Republican base, it has also drawn fire from mainstream media outlets and civil‑rights groups. The article details the ACLU’s condemnation, describing how the organization released a statement that said, “The Trump‑Kirk‑Hortman partnership promotes a dangerous narrative that could incite violence.” It also cites a joint press release from the Southern Poverty Law Center, which identified the trio as part of a growing “right‑wing extremism” movement.

On the other side of the spectrum, the United States Today piece quotes an interview with a former Trump adviser who says, “You can’t have a movement without a narrative. These guys have that narrative, and they’re very, very effective at spreading it.”

The Road Ahead

Trump’s “2025” branding and the new alliance suggest a long‑term plan. The article cites political analysts who believe that Trump is positioning himself not just for a 2024 reelection bid but for a “second-term” platform that would be “more radicalized” than the first. The piece references a 2023 study by the Brookings Institution that found a 45% rise in GOP primary voters who support “hardline immigration” policies, a demographic that Trump’s new alliance could appeal to.

Finally, the article concludes by noting that while the Trump‑Kirk‑Hortman trio has garnered significant traction, the true test will come during the 2024 primary. The United States Today piece ends with a call to readers: “Stay tuned for more updates on how this alliance evolves as the 2024 election cycle heats up.”

Key Takeaways

1. Trump’s 2025 campaign strategy is now heavily influenced by far‑right activist Charlie Kirk and policy strategist Melissa Hortman.
2. The trio released a joint manifesto that has drawn criticism for promoting extremist rhetoric.
3. While gaining traction among certain Republican voters, the alliance has faced backlash from civil‑rights organizations.
4. Political analysts see the partnership as a signal that Trump’s future campaigns could be more radicalized than his 2016‑2020 run.

The United States Today article paints a vivid picture of a political coalition that could reshape the 2024 and 2025 electoral landscapes, and its impact will be felt as the primary season ramps up.