Trump Admits: "Smart People Don't Like Me" Amid Charlie Kirk Assassination Fallout

Trump at Bedminster Gala, Sept. 13, 2025: "Smart People Don't Like Me" Amid Charlie Kirk Assassination Discussion

Bedminster, NJ – September 14, 2025 - In a candid and controversial remark that has ignited a firestorm of online mockery and political analysis, President Donald Trump quipped to supporters that "smart people don't like me," during a gala event at his Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, on Saturday night. The off-the-cuff comment, captured on video and rapidly going viral across social media platforms, came amid discussions of the recent assassination of prominent conservative activist Charlie Kirk, whose death has thrust the nation into a heated debate over political violence and media narratives.

The 79-year-old president, dressed in a formal suit, addressed a room full of attendees while reflecting on the suspect in Kirk's killing, Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old from Utah whose father reportedly turned him in to authorities. "It must have been traumatic because the parents are conservative people—supposed to be very nice people—living in Utah, and the father turns in the son," Trump said, before pivoting to his remark: "Smart people don’t like me, you know? And they don’t like what we talk about." The crowd erupted in laughter, but the clip quickly spread beyond the event, amassing over 50,000 likes on Instagram and sparking widespread ridicule from critics who interpreted it as an inadvertent admission about his supporter base.

Kirk, a 31-year-old far-right activist and close Trump ally known for founding Turning Point USA, was fatally shot on Wednesday during a college campus event in Provo, Utah. The assailant, Robinson, allegedly posted online threats including, "Because if you talk s---, you will get banged. Rest in peace Charlie Kirk, you piece of s---," according to social media videos cited in reports. Authorities described the motive as tied to ideological extremism, with Robinson's family cooperating fully after the father alerted law enforcement. The incident has drawn comparisons to rising political tensions, echoing the 2022 assassination attempt on Trump himself and fueling calls for de-escalation from both parties.

Social media erupted with reactions, many users pointing out the ironic implication that Trump's supporters might not fall into the "smart" category. Democratic Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett tweeted: "Soooo does MAGA know what this means he thinks of them ?" On Reddit's r/politics subreddit, the post garnered over 22,000 upvotes, with comments like "If he was smart, he’d know that he’s stupid" and references to the Dunning-Kruger effect, often dubbed "Trump syndrome" by detractors. Another user quipped, "I’m stupid. I don’t like you either," highlighting the self-deprecating humor amid the backlash.

The White House, when pressed for clarification on the remarks and responses from figures like Crockett, pushed back through spokesperson Abigail Jackson: "All three of Jasmine Crockett’s brain cells are infected with Trump Derangement Syndrome." Fact-checking efforts, including those on Skeptics Stack Exchange, have largely verified the authenticity of the video, though some outlets like Hindustan Times noted initial verification challenges.

Trump's history of unfiltered comments has often polarized audiences, but this one arrives at a sensitive time following Kirk's death, which has prompted vigils and statements from conservative leaders mourning the loss of a key voice in youth outreach. As the 2026 midterms loom, such gaffes—or intentional provocations—could further energize opponents while solidifying loyalty among his base. For now, the quip serves as fodder for late-night shows and memes, underscoring the enduring divide in American discourse.