For some on the American far right, Charlie Kirk’s death is being framed as a “martyrdom,” and any criticism of the hugely popular conservative activist is being met with a fierce backlash. Following the assassination of the 31-year-old, who had been an electrifying presence on the U.S. right, online vitriol and grassroots persecution have exploded, further deepening the country’s fraught political divisions.
Backlash and Job Losses Over Criticism
Laura Sosh-Lightsy, an assistant dean of students at a university in Tennessee, found herself in hot water after posting on social media about Kirk’s death, which occurred in front of a large crowd at a university in Utah on Wednesday. “Hate begets hate. ZERO sympathy,” she wrote on Facebook.
Republican U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn was quick to condemn the comment and call out Sosh-Lightsy. The Tennessee lawmaker stated, “This person should be ashamed of her post. She should be removed from her position.” That same night, the president of Middle Tennessee State University announced an employee’s firing for a “callous” comment about Kirk.
Kirk, who had mobilized his millions of followers to help President Donald Trump win a second term, was both revered and reviled for his pro-gun, anti-abortion, and anti-immigrant rhetoric. The suspect arrested on Thursday, Tyler Robinson, is said to have engraved anti-fascist messages on his bullet casings, leading a large part of the American right to label him a “far-left” killer.
Some of Kirk’s supporters have turned into online vigilantes, searching for accounts that have praised or celebrated his murder. Conservative influencer Joey Mannarino advised his followers: “If they have their picture on their profile, even without a name, download the picture and reverse image search it. Cross-reference it with their LinkedIn profile and find their place of employment. Call the place of employment, leave Google reviews.” These efforts have targeted teachers, firefighters, and military personnel, some of whom have lost their jobs as a result.
Government-Level Support and Suppression of Dissent
While both sides of the political aisle have condemned Kirk’s murder, Trump was quick to blame the country’s “radical left,” even as authorities were still hunting for the killer. Online trackers have targeted an Oklahoma teacher who posted on social media: “Charlie Kirk died the same way he lived: bringing out the worst in people.” The state’s Department of Education has since investigated the teacher, describing his comments as “abhorrent.”
Trump, who praised Kirk as a “giant of his generation,” has led the U.S. government’s memorialization efforts. High-ranking U.S. officials are working to weed out critics of Kirk and his legacy. Trump ordered flags lowered to half-staff in honor of his ally, and Kirk’s body was flown from Utah to his home in Phoenix, Arizona, aboard Air Force Two, escorted by Vice President JD Vance.
Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered members of the military to identify colleagues who mocked or celebrated Kirk’s death. U.S. Under Secretary of State Christopher Landau declared that “foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country.” In a post on X, he added, “I have been disgusted to see some on social media praising, rationalizing, or making light of the event, and have directed our consular officials to undertake appropriate action. Please feel free to bring such comments by foreigners to my attention so the @statedept can protect the American people.”
Laura Loomer, a far-right conspiracy theorist with close ties to Trump, has been one of the most high-profile attackers of Kirk’s critics. She denounced an employee of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) who had expressed disgust on Instagram that flags would be lowered for “the literal racist homophobe misogynist.” Loomer shared the staffer’s LinkedIn profile, stating, “These people hate us. They don’t belong near the levers of our National Power.” Following Loomer’s post, FEMA said the employee was placed on leave for making “revolting and unconscionable” comments.
On Saturday, Kirk’s organization, Turning Point USA, announced that a memorial service for its founder will be held on September 21 in a suburb of Phoenix. The chosen venue hints at the expected turnout: a stadium normally home to a professional football team, with a seating capacity of more than 63,000.
