University Professor Comments on Assassination of Charlie Kirk
Charles HF Davis, an assistant professor at the University of Michigan, stated on Thursday that the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was, in his view, a “resolution” to the “violent rhetoric” being expressed by those who have been empowered. His research is centered around themes of racism, oppression, and the dynamics of power in higher education in the United States.
In addition to expressing support for Kirk’s murder, Davis has retweeted various posts that celebrate the assassination. He posited, “Even if you believe violence is not the answer, it is a solution to the violent situation, especially to the violent rhetoric that has been spewed out by those who have been empowered to create them.”
🚨Professor @umich He said the assassination of Charlie Kirk was a “resolution” to “violent rhetoric.”
His tweets are open to the public, so perhaps his employer won’t see it. @dailycaller pic.twitter.com/da1frxhvyj
– Nicole Silver (@nicolemsilverio) September 11, 2025
Davis made a comment about retweeting one post, noting that Kirk’s actions remind him that “your words don’t skip the results; they just attract interest,” adding that “empathy has boundaries.” Another tweet he shared accused Kirk of spending his career criticizing immigrants and blaming Black individuals for various issues.
Teaching courses like “Anti-racism” and “Politics of Power, Privileges, and the Differences of Higher Education,” Davis manages a limited-access X account where he shares his thoughts. The University of Michigan has yet to respond to any inquiries regarding his comments.
On the political landscape, some left-leaning media figures and Democrats have started attributing the rise in political violence to President Trump and the Republican party. For instance, MSNBC recently let go of political analyst Matthew Dowd after he indicated that Kirk’s “hate speech” contributed to the circumstances surrounding the assassination. Meanwhile, CBS host Nate Burleson implied that Republicans should reconsider their own rhetoric.
Democrats like Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker have accused Trump of inciting such political violence, with Massachusetts Democrat Seth Moulton mentioning that many Republicans are emulating Trump’s tendency to use aggressive language.
An assistant dean at Middle Tennessee State University, Laura Soschleitsy, faced dismissal after she remarked on Facebook that she felt “no sympathy” for Kirk following the assassination.
The individual responsible for the shooting fired from a distance of approximately 200 yards from the Utah Valley University campus, where Kirk was holding an event. Authorities have not yet apprehended the suspect but claim to possess both photos and security footage to aid in identification.
