Liberal commentator Crystal Ball is rumored to have linked Tyler Robinson to the assassination attempt on Charlie Kirk.
Ball appeared on the YouTube show Breakpoint over the weekend, where guest Emily Jacinski discussed Robinson and the odd phenomenon of murderers who gain a “cult following” after their crimes. She remarked, “You end up with a Charles Manson-like cult surrounding someone, where people become obsessed with a figure in prison.”
Ball humorously noted that, despite Robinson asserting his innocence, there seems to be something about these cases that can misdirect public attention. “I hope that’s not the case here,” Ball added.
Regarding Robinson, Ball quipped that he didn’t possess the “look” typically associated with garnering such support. “He may look decent, but not like Mangione—he’s not exactly going to inspire a following,” he said.
Jacinski reacted playfully by resting her head in her hand, to which Ball pressed her for a response, saying, “Tell me I’m wrong!”
His comments stirred significant online backlash, with some urging Jacinski to critique Ball’s remarks. “We were! But what Clip mentioned was that the FBI had good intel as of Friday, and they felt it was credible,” she stated.
Robinson, 22, has been reportedly obsessed with Kirk, expressing intentions to “take out” conservative influencers he detests. The FBI uncovered that he believed he had devised the perfect murder plan.
Meanwhile, Mangione, in a disturbing manifesto, expressed his grievances against United Healthcare, suggesting it exploited human life forces for profit. He is accused of murdering the company’s CEO, Brian Thompson, in December 2024.
Both suspects are set to appear in court on Tuesday. Robinson faces murder charges related to the alleged assassination of Kirk, while Mangione has pleaded not guilty to state and federal murder charges concerning Thompson’s death. A judge will also handle various motions, including attempts to dismiss certain charges and evidence.
On the eve of their court dates, the NYPD’s Anti-Terrorism and Intelligence Agency issued a warning regarding the persistent threat of violence against political and civic figures.
The assessment noted, “Targeted attacks are surfacing in an increasingly volatile environment, especially against notable politicians and CEOs. This violence underscores a need for vigilance, connecting extremist ideologies with law enforcement and security sectors.”
The NYPD report also suggested Kirk’s attack might incite violent extremists who could see it as a rationale for more acts of violence.
“The notoriety of this assassination could be amplified by propaganda and exploited by hostile actors,” the document cautioned.
