Democrats and members of the corporate media have consistently maintained that the fatal shooting of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk wasn’t celebrated, but online responses suggest otherwise.
There have been numerous congratulatory remarks about the assassination and other comments justifying it, especially on platforms like Bluesky. This has prompted reactions from figures such as MSNBC political analyst Matthew Dowd and Washington Post columnist Karen Attiah. On Tuesday, MSNBC Senior Enterprise Reporter Brandy Zadrozny asserted that reports of any celebrations were completely unfounded.
“If you look at the overall media discourse, many people have referred to Charlie Kirk as a key GOP figure, second only to Donald Trump. There’s a lot of work to be done. However, claiming the internet is cheering this tragedy is the exact opposite of reality,” she stated.
Historian Heather Cox Richardson echoed similar sentiments recently. Meanwhile, Maryland Democrat Jamie Ruskin claimed during a House Judiciary Committee meeting that the assassination prompted a response of “fear and shock” across America.
CNN host Abby Phillip also challenged the notion that liberals celebrated Kirk’s assassination during a heated discussion with Federalist reporter Brianna Lyman and Salem Radio Network host Scott Jennings. Jennings noted that Kirk’s murder had been met with praise online, garnering various responses.
Tom Elliot, founder of Grabien News, shared a compilation showcasing left-wing celebrations of Kirk’s assassination, including a video where individuals openly celebrated the incident. This outcry has drawn criticism from notable media figures like Stephen A. Smith and Bill Maher.
In one compiled video, a young woman is seen dancing and singing lyrics about Kirk’s shooting. Another video features a person identifying as a transgender woman expressing conflicting feelings about Kirk’s previous remarks on trans issues.
Several educators and professionals have been reported celebrating Kirk’s death online, with others in academia and public service making similar comments.
An investigation from Rutgers University and the Network Contagion Research Institute found that 56% of “center-left” respondents believed the assassination of former President Donald Trump, who survived two attempts on his life during the 2024 election, was at least somewhat justified. This sentiment extended to figures like Tesla CEO Elon Musk as well.
Jennings suggested that Republicans and conservatives are actively responding to a culture that celebrates such actions. He raised a critical point: “When some imply that there’s justification for violence against those with opposing views, it raises genuine concerns about societal implications.”
He added, “Implying that violence is warranted against millions simply because of their beliefs is troubling. Many are not overly concerned about how to address these issues.”
