A well-known fitness influencer, who gained popularity on TikTok, faced significant backlash after posting a tribute to Charlie Kirk following his recent assassination.
Daisy Keech Yager, 26, shared a heartfelt message with her 5.1 million Instagram followers, which included a video of her young daughter running into her arms as she expressed her sorrow over Kirk’s death.
“I’m at a loss for words. It’s incredibly unfair that such an amazing man has been taken from us this way. It truly breaks my heart. I’m grateful for all you’ve done for the youth in our country. Sending love and sympathy to his family. Please pray for them,” she wrote.
Yet, the response from her followers didn’t match her intended sympathy.
Many long-time fans left uncomfortable comments, lamenting the violent circumstances surrounding Kirk’s death at Utah Valley University during an altercation.
“You’re losing me with that post,” one user remarked, highlighting the disconnect.
Critics pointed out her previous silence on other tragedies, such as George Floyd’s murder and the Israel-Hamas conflict, accusing her of “selective empathy.”
“You’ve never spoken about Gaza or other important issues, but now you want to talk about this? It’s disappointing,” another comment read.
In light of the criticism, Yager doubled down, branding her detractors “sick.” She wrote, “I don’t want to engage in political discussions because of the divisions they create, but the evil surrounding this situation disgusts me. If you’re glad about his death, I’ll pray for you. Remember what really matters.”
“If my beliefs shock you or you disagree, that’s okay. There’s no need for hatred,” she added.
Despite the backlash, many supporters rallied around Yager, and her follower count on Instagram and TikTok remained steady. She had initially risen to fame after co-founding a “hype house” in 2019.
The reaction to Kirk’s death has sparked various disturbing revelations, with some praising the incident since it occurred.
