Charlie Kirk, a conservative political activist, was shot and killed while addressing students at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on Sept. 10, 2025.

Kirk, a controversial right-wing speaker and debater, was the co-founder and CEO of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), a nonprofit conservative political advocacy organization. Kirk’s social media platform and campus organizing have been major contributors to Donald Trump’s presidential campaigns, earning respect among conservative groups. 

Kirk was shot while beginning TPUSA’s American Comeback Tour, a speech and debate series visiting college campuses nationwide. Political figures from both the left and right condemned the assassination, expressing concern over the rising political violence in the United States.

“This kind of despicable violence has no place in our democracy,” Michelle Obama posted on X.

“Violence and vitriol must be purged from the public square,” wrote former president George W. Bush. “Members of other political parties are not our enemies; they are our fellow citizens.”

However, accusations and disputes quickly arose in the aftermath of Kirk’s death. President Donald Trump and other members of the Republican Party blamed the Democrats and liberalism for the violence, even before a suspect or motive was identified.

“The radicals on the left are the problem,” President Trump stated on Fox News. “And they’re vicious. And they’re horrible.”

After the suspect was identified as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, conservative outrage was only strengthened. Utah Governor Spencer Cox stated that Robinson had been indoctrinated by “leftist ideology,” diverging from his family’s conservative stance.

While Robinson had no known affiliation with any liberal political groups, prosecutor Jeff Gray stated that the “suspect had become increasingly concerned about gay and trans rights.” Robinson’s relationship with his roommate, who identified as transgender, is thought to be a cause of these concerns.

“I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out.” Text messages to Robinson’s roommate seemingly provide a motive for his actions, though Gray would “let a judge determine” if his texts constituted a confession.

Since the murder, the Trump administration has called for the censorship of those who criticize Charlie Kirk, celebrate his assassination, or minimize the importance of his death. Attorney General Pam Bondi received backlash after stating the administration would prosecute some criticism against Kirk as “hate speech.”

The US State Department promised to investigate the legal standing of immigrants accused of “praising, rationalizing, or making light” of Kirk’s assassination. 

Dozens of workers in both commercial and government organizations have been fired, suspended, or disciplined for social media posts or public comments about Kirk’s killing, especially those viewed as celebrating or mocking his death.

While hosting Kirk’s podcast, “The Charlie Kirk Show,” Vice President Vance encouraged citizens to report people who celebrated Kirk’s assassination and promised a federal crackdown on liberal organizations.

This campaign has led to the doxxing and threatening of several people who celebrated Kirk’s death, drawing concern over the right to free speech.

The Associated Press described the movement as having “broadened to include even those whose statements were critical of Kirk without celebrating his assassination”.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, who was targeted in an arson attack months earlier, criticized Trump for trying to “cherry-pick” political violence, saying the need is for universal condemnation of political violence, regardless of who is targeted.

Perhaps the most publicized case of censorship over comments about Kirk came from comedian Jimmy Kimmel on his ABC show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Kimmel accused the “MAGA gang” of attempting to “characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them” and “score political points”. ABC suspended Kimmel indefinitely after threats from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to penalize the company.

Texas Senator Ted Cruz called the FCC’s actions “unbelievably dangerous” to position the government to punish those who say things they don’t agree with.

Kirk’s assassination has been the latest addition to the alarming chain of political violence in the US, including the murder of two Minnesota legislators and their spouses, the arson attack on Governor Shapiro, and the two assassination attempts on President Trump.

Reactions to Kirk’s assassination have called into question the line between criticism and hate speech, further polarizing America’s political scene.

While court proceedings are ongoing, Kirk’s friends, family and followers mourn his death. Around 90,000 people attended his memorial service in State Farm Stadium, in addition to the several prayer vigils held across the country.

The aftermath of Kirk’s assassination may hinge on whether political leaders and the public can de-escalate tensions or whether this tragedy will deepen existing divides.

 If they fail, the risk is that this event will be another rung in a ladder of political violence — one more tragedy reinforcing fear, suspicion, and radicalization. But if this becomes a turning point, it could steer the country away from the edge.