Donald Trump has commented on the arrest of Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old accused of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk on September 10 at Utah Valley University. Robinson was turned in by his father, a move Trump called unusual: “How often does that happen… and he said ‘almost never’.”

Speaking at his golf club in Bedminster, Trump described Robinson as “totally radicalised and crazy” despite his parents being “conservative people, supposed to be very nice people living in Utah.”

During the same speech, Trump joked to his supporters: “Smart people don’t like me, you know?” The audience laughed, but clips went viral as critics claimed he was insulting his own base. One X user wrote: “Trump calling his base dummies.” Another added: “The people laughing are so unaware of what he’s saying.”

The shooting and Trump’s remarks have sparked heated debate online. A website has even emerged vowing to “expose Charlie’s murderers” by posting screenshots of people who allegedly celebrated Kirk’s death on social media.

Kirk, 31, founder of Turning Point USA, was shot in the neck while speaking to students. He was rushed to hospital but did not survive.