Tyler Robinson's father did not pledge to donate $1.5M reward money to Charlie Kirk's family, despite rumors

In less than two days after Charlie Kirk was shot at the Utah Valley University (UVU) campus last week, the suspect behind his shooting - Tyler Robinson - was identified and taken into custody on Thursday night (September 11). 

It was Tyler's father, Matt Robinson, who tipped the FBI about his son being Kirk's shooter after recognizing him from the pictures circulating online. Matt's tip played a key role in his son's swift arrest. 

Following the arrest, rumors about Matt Robinson receiving the award prize of over $1.5 million - promised by the FBI to anyone who helped them arrest Charlie Kirk's shooter - have been spreading across social media. One such rumor claims that Matt has decided not to accept the reward but donate it to the late conservative infleuncer's family instead. 

NEW: Billionaire investor Bill Ackman confirms that he intends to pay out the million-dollar reward to Tyler Robinson’s father if that is who the FBI deems as the provider of the information that led to his arrest… “I always keep my word,” says Ackman. pic.twitter.com/Ujl6QDUTcj

— Suburban Black Man 🇺🇸 (@niceblackdude) September 13, 2025

However, fact-checking websites have found the claim to be outright false, with neither Matt Robinson nor any source close to him making any such announcement online. 

For the unversed, the FBI first announced a reward of $100,000 to motivate citizens to come forward with information on Charlie Kirk's shooter. 

As Kirk's death became a nation-wide sensation, philanthropists and businessmen across the country stepped up to contribute to the cause, with Bill Ackman pledging $1 million, and Robby Starbuck and Alex Bruesewitz pledging $25K each to it. 

JD Vance vows to "dismantle" far-left groups on Charlie Kirk's podcast

On Monday, September 15, Vice President JD Vance appeared on Charlie Kirk's podcast, where he spoke about the increased tolerance for violence in the country. 

Guest-hosting the late podcaster's show from his office (next to the White House), Vance claimed that in the wake of Kirk's death, the Trump administration had decided to work to "dismantle the institutions that promote violence and terrorism in our own country". 

The Vice-President also spoke about exploring any and every option that could help "bring real unity" so that no one would kill their fellow countrymen just "because they don't like what they say".

​While the political bent or preference of Tyler Robinson is not clear yet, the belief that Charlie Kirk's political views played a role in his assassination is currently being widely entertained, with the Right blaming the Left for his death. 

Vance also shared a warning for those who were celebrating Kirk's death, telling people:

"When you see someone celebrating Charlie’s murder, call them out. Hell, call their employer. We don’t believe in political violence, but we do believe in civility, and there is no civility in the celebration of political assassination."

When Charlie Kirk's casket was flown from Utah to Arizona, JD Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, were the ones accompanying it, alongside Kirk's widow, Erika Frantzve Kirk.