Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s daughter, Ava Raine, faced backlash for making insensitive remarks seemingly aimed at Charlie Kirk shortly after his assassination.
Raine, 24, who has followed her father’s path into WWE wrestling, shared a post on her Instagram story that was originally from comedian Gianmarco Soresi.
While Kirk wasn’t mentioned by name, Raine reposted it, adding her own comment through her X account. She wrote, “And I’m standing behind this. Be kinder than ever,” which stirred up anger online given the timing of her remarks. Kirk was killed in a brazen attack at Utah Valley University just hours before.
This sparked outrage among WWE fans, many of whom questioned her message. One user retorted, “Be kind or be assassinated? I’m sure you said something unkind.” Another inquired if WWE would take a stance on her comments.
A few critics pointed out that if Raine isn’t let go after this, it could reflect poorly on WWE. Some fans reacted with a viral clip of her father urging someone to “Shut up,” which added to the online frenzy.
Meanwhile, several individuals who made inappropriate comments following Kirk’s death were let go from their jobs. The Carolina Panthers, for instance, dismissed communications coordinator Charlie Lock for his insensitive post.
In the political realm, MSNBC analyst Matthew Dowd was also fired for suggesting that a supporter might be to blame for Kirk’s killing. Other organizations, such as the Joe Barrow Foundation and a New York school district, took similar actions against those who made offensive remarks.
In contrast, many chose to honor Kirk’s memory during public events. The New York Yankees held a moment of silence for him before their game, and memorials were displayed at NASCAR events.
Notably, a few NFL teams, such as the Bengals and Ravens, decided against a moment of reflection for Kirk during games over the weekend, with the league allowing teams to make their own decisions regarding tributes.
In terms of the investigation, Tyler Robinson, 22, has been identified as the suspect accused of Kirk’s assassination. Authorities believe he acted alone, and charges of aggravated murder are anticipated. In Utah, this crime carries the possibility of the death penalty, although prosecutors must actively seek it.
