Emmy Awards Skip Mention of Charlie Kirk’s Assassination
The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards held on Sunday evening chose not to address the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Nate Bargatze, the comedian hosting the event, along with various celebrity presenters and award recipients, did not bring up Kirk’s tragic death during the televised program. In a pre-event interview, Bargatze expressed his intention to steer clear of political discussions while hosting.
“I know there’s something heartbreaking happening right now, but I want to focus on the night,” he told Entertainment Weekly. He seemed to be set on maintaining the light-hearted spirit of the evening.
Jay Reno Labels Kirk’s Death as “a Death of Free Speech”
Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old conservative activist, was shot on Wednesday while hosting a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University. The alleged shooter, Tyler Robinson, reportedly used a hunting rifle from a rooftop approximately 200 yards distant from where Kirk was speaking to a crowd of college students. Robinson is currently in police custody.
Bargatze, known for his family-friendly comedy style, indicated he wouldn’t stray from his established persona during the awards. He acknowledged the somber nature of Kirk’s incident in an interview, calling it “the saddest thing in the world,” but confirmed that there were no last-minute adjustments to the award script to reflect on the tragedy.
Kirk’s family, including his wife Erica and their two young children, received an outpouring of support in the wake of his death. Notably, the NFL game between the Green Bay Packers and the Washington Commanders held a moment of silence in Kirk’s honor before kickoff. Various NFL teams, including the Tennessee Titans and Miami Dolphins, also paused to honor him.
Tributes came from the music world as well, with artists like Coldplay and major country stars acknowledging Kirk during recent concerts.
Political Commentary at the Emmy Awards
Interestingly, the Emmys didn’t feature any tribute to Kirk, despite some political sentiments expressed throughout the event. Hannah Einbinder, who won the Best Supporting Actress Award for her role in “Hacks,” concluded her speech with, “f–Ice and Free Palestine!”
Chris Abrego, chairman of the Television Academy, reinforced the importance of storytelling as a way to bridge divides in the country. He stated, “When the department controls the headlines, storytelling still has the power to unite us. Neutrality is not enough. We must advocate for connection, inclusion, and empathy.”
Meanwhile, on the red carpet, actor Javier Bardem discussed the significance of wearing a Kefiyah scarf to the event, stating, “I’m denouncing genocide in Gaza today.” He elaborated on the need for action and sanctions toward Israel regarding the ongoing situation.
