On Friday, Natasha Cloud, a player for the New York Liberty, sparked controversy with a racially charged post following the revelation of the suspect in Charlie Kirk’s alleged assassination in Utah. Utah Governor Spencer Cox confirmed the arrest of 22-year-old Tyler Robinson.
Cloud’s initial message, which she later deleted, drew backlash as she speculated on the political beliefs of Robinson’s family. In that post, she recounted her own background, mentioning her middle-class upbringing and her family’s Republican ties, stating, “So how did you twist this?”
Despite removing that particular post, she left several others up that stirred further controversy. One of these posts unfoundedly labeled Robinson as a “far-right Republican.” She stated, “Tyler Robinson and his parents were Republicans. Far-right Republicans,” reinforcing her claims.
Additionally, Cloud made racially charged comments linking Robinson’s case to previous threats against historically black colleges and universities. The FBI had issued a statement recognizing a hoax threat towards HBCUs.
Cloud questioned the motivations behind the threats, implying a connection to racism rather than politics: “So why did y’all threaten HBCU when he was a 22-year-old white boy from Utah who shot Charlie?”
In response to criticism, Cloud doubled down on her comments, using racially charged language: “A white boy is literally what he is. He didn’t even have the hair on his face.” This remark drew both condemnation and support from various corners, including a backlash from conservative influencer John Root, while journalist Jemel Hill defended her.
Earlier in the week, Cloud had also called for tougher gun regulations on social media in light of the shooting, expressing her frustration: “I’m tiiirrreeeeed… We need laws surrounding firearms.” She argued that current regulations were inadequate and highlighted the nation’s high gun-related death rates.
Meanwhile, details about Tyler Robinson’s life emerged, with the Washington County School District confirming his attendance in local schools up until May 2021. At the time of his arrest, he was a third-year student in an electrical apprenticeship program at Dixie Technical College after a brief stint at Utah State University.
Cloud has been known for her outspoken stance on various issues, including her criticisms of former President Trump and immigration policies. She’s openly discussed her support for socialism and her concerns regarding systemic inequalities in the U.S.
She noted, “Too often, this country puts the human side aside and puts profits and money on people.” As Cloud continues to navigate these discussions, her comments and actions remain under scrutiny.
