On September 10, 2025, Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, 31, was fatally shot in the neck during a Q&A at Utah Valley University while on his “American Comeback” tour. Federal officials said a suspect armed with a long gun opened fire from roughly 200 meters away. Kirk was rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency surgery, but died later that day. By September 11, the FBI confirmed the alleged gunman was in custody, though his identity and motive were still unknown.
The news of Kirk’s death triggered a wave of posts across Reddit and X. One of the most-shared threads came from u/RegularBirthday3563, who posted an article aboutNFL player reactions that quickly went viral and ignited anger over what users described as “double standards” around public sympathy.
Viral Fan Backlash Highlights Charlie Kirk’s Controversial Legacy
Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk walks on stage on Aug. 23, 2024, at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Ariz.
Much of the discussion focused on Kirk’s history of incendiary statements. Fans cited his repeated advocacy of violence, dismissal of empathy, and controversial political stances. Regarding LGBTQ+ individuals, Kirk once promoted extreme punishment. This was not an isolated remark in the context of his broader rhetoric.
“Kirk’s whole schtick was advocating for violence against people who didn’t share his views. He wanted Paul Pelosi’s attacker bailed out of jail, he praised Kyle Rittenhouse as a hero, he cozied up to and praised a BUNCH of white nationalists (Steve Sailor, Curtis Yarvin, amongst others), and he publicly stated a few times that “gun deaths are worth it to keep our second…even ones that specifically target people who would tell you otherwise.”
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Commenters also highlighted his racial and political prejudices. Kirk had expressed fear of Black pilots, dismissed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as a mistake, and argued that multiple Black politicians “stole white people’s spots.” He also undermined public health measures and promoted conspiracy theories.
One fan commented, “Here are some things that Charlie Kirk said in his life, as cataloged by Sean Fay-Wolfe | Diamond Axe Studios (@seanfaywolfe.bsky.social): The man is dead, and so it only seems fair to share his legacy by cataloguing the values he spread while alive. Gay people should be stoned to death…Muslims only come to America to destabilize Western Civilization…Palestine “doesn’t exist” and those who support it are like the KKK”
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Fans pointed out Kirk’s attitude toward violence. He supported Kyle Rittenhouse, wanted the attacker of Paul Pelosi to be bailed out, and publicly stated that gun deaths were acceptable to protect Second Amendment rights.
Another chimed in, “That same american that mocked innocent children in America and Palestinians who also said civil rights movement was a mistake. That same american also cheered on their political enemy when her and her husband were attacked and helped fundraise the lunatic to be let go…I like when one of these guys dies, we gotta have a dialogue about the country when someone evil dies but multiple other tragedies happens its crickets and life goes on.”
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The Reddit thread also addressed perceived hypocrisy in mourning Kirk. Users noted that while tributes poured in, including a Yankees moment of silence, mainstream coverage often ignores victims of mass shootings or targeted attacks on marginalized communities. One post summarized this sentiment:
“They want people on the left to be the bigger person when these people…Kill democratic senators (John Hoffman)…Kill Johnathan Joss…Mock Palestinians and other minority groups…Tell gay people they need to be stoned…Fuck treating these evil people with kid gloves”
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Others argued that Kirk’s death was a consequence of the violent, divisive climate he helped foster. A widely shared comment framed it this way:
“The murder was horrible, but suddenly everyone is pretending he wasn’t saying absolutely vile bullshit and making the nation worse…My parents think he was non controversial and beloved. The Yankees did a moment of silence…America just moved 100 yards right.”
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Fans called for consistency in public outrage, demanding attention to victims of gun violence and systemic injustices, rather than selective sympathy. The viral Reddit discussion illustrates how Kirk’s death reopened debates about accountability, political extremism, and public reactions, with sports figures and media coverage coming under scrutiny.