Controversial Responses to Charlie Kirk’s Assassination
Khymani James, a student activist from Columbia University, stirred controversy on social media following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA. Despite some expressing sadness over the event, James took to Twitter to celebrate, sending out a series of tweets that appeared to endorse violence against conservative figures.
Shortly after news broke about Kirk’s death at Utah Valley University, James tweeted at 2:44 PM, “More. More!!!” Just a minute later, he added, “All Fascists and Down,” accompanied by a Heart Eyes emoji.
In addition to his tweets, James amplified posts from other activists. He retweeted a message from @callawalsh, who reminisced about a past challenge from Kirk, stating, “This is how I responded: thoughts and prayers of bullets.” Throughout the day, James echoed similar sentiments, sharing messages that carried aggressive undertones, including one that claimed, “I will never lament the genocide apologuer. I’m not sorry, please rest on piss.”
Another retweet compared Kirk’s fate to violence experienced in the Middle East, with one user stating, “The chickens are back on the roost,” suggesting a parallel with Palestinian suffering. This response also included references to the killing of a 15-year-old named Jana Zakarneh, asserting she was targeted by Israeli forces.
By 3:07 PM, James posted again, declaring, “Look at what you post: those who justly celebrate the inevitable fate of fascists.” His retweeting habit included comments likening Kirk’s death to that of Adolf Hitler, indicating a morally complex perspective on violence and conflict.
Unlike some left-leaning influencers who expressed somber reflections on Kirk’s assassination, James seemed to double down on his aggressive stance. While some, like activist Harry Sisson, opted for a more restrained response, James openly rejoiced in the chaos, as several others did as well. For instance, a teacher from Pennsylvania remarked that Kirk lacked empathy, while a Florida anesthesiologist voiced happiness over the news.
Charlie Kirk, age 31, was fatally shot during a speech and succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital. Following his death, former President Donald Trump paid tribute, calling him “the great and legendary Charlie Kirk,” while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu honored him as a friend of Israel who bravely defended truth and freedom.
Netanyahu emphasized Kirk’s steadfast defense of Israel and his contributions as a patriot and free speech advocate, reflecting on the profound impact Kirk had during his life.
