VP Vance Cancels 9/11 Memorial to Visit Charlie Kirk Family in Utah

Vice President JD Vance canceled his planned attendance at the annual 9/11 Memorial Ceremony in New York City to instead travel to Salt Lake City, Utah, to console the family of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot while speaking at Utah Valley University. Vance, accompanied by Second Lady Usha Vance, expressed deep personal grief, describing Kirk as a close friend and a key figure in supporting his vice-presidential nomination and staffing the administration. The shooting has sparked a manhunt for the suspect and drawn national attention, with Utah Governor Spencer Cox calling it a political assassination. President Donald Trump’s schedule remained unchanged, with plans to attend a 9/11 observance at the Pentagon and a baseball game in New York. Vance highlighted Kirk’s significant influence within the MAGA movement and his role in broadening political debate, underscoring Kirk's importance to their political success. The incident has elicited widespread tributes from Republican figures, marking a somber moment for the conservative community.