Republicans Cast Conservatives as Targets of Violence, Using Charlie Kirk’s Killing to Claim Victimhood

I had no idea who Charlie Kirk was when he died. I later learned he was a podcaster and political activist who has apparently become something of a martyr for the right. Political violence is wrong, period. But it’s hard not to notice the contrast: one political figure is memorialized a year later, while after yet another school shooting we’re usually told it’s “too soon” to talk about it, followed by thoughts and prayers and then moving on.

I had no idea who Charlie Kirk was when he died. I later learned he was a podcaster and political activist who has apparently become something of a martyr for the right. Political violence is wrong, period. But it’s hard not to notice the contrast: one political figure is memorialized a year later, while after yet another school shooting we’re usually told it’s “too soon” to talk about it, followed by thoughts and prayers and then moving on.

I had no idea who Charlie Kirk was when he died. I later learned he was a podcaster and political activist who has apparently become something of a martyr for the right. Political violence is wrong, period. But it’s hard not to notice the contrast: one political figure is memorialized a year later, while after yet another school shooting we’re usually told it’s “too soon” to talk about it, followed by thoughts and prayers and then moving on.

Charlie Kirk was many things: loud, divisive, hateful, and misogynistic. None of that was necessary to become a public figure, and none of it was ennobled by his violent end. He is not a martyr. He is no hero. He was a man who built an empire on fueling resentments and fears, and that is a legacy that needs to be exposed, criticized, and challenged, not lionized. -Michael Jochum -

I had no idea who Charlie Kirk was when he died. I later learned he was a podcaster and political activist who has apparently become something of a martyr for the right. Political violence is wrong, period. But it’s hard not to notice the contrast: one political figure is memorialized a year later, while after yet another school shooting we’re usually told it’s “too soon” to talk about it, followed by thoughts and prayers and then moving on.

Charlie Kirk was many things: loud, divisive, hateful, and misogynistic. None of that was necessary to become a public figure, and none of it was ennobled by his violent end. He is not a martyr. He is no hero. He was a man who built an empire on fueling resentments and fears, and that is a legacy that needs to be exposed, criticized, and challenged, not lionized. -Michael Jochum -

What makes it a political assassination? Kirk wasn't a politician.

I had no idea who Charlie Kirk was when he died. I later learned he was a podcaster and political activist who has apparently become something of a martyr for the right. Political violence is wrong, period. But it’s hard not to notice the contrast: one political figure is memorialized a year later, while after yet another school shooting we’re usually told it’s “too soon” to talk about it, followed by thoughts and prayers and then moving on.

Charlie Kirk was many things: loud, divisive, hateful, and misogynistic. None of that was necessary to become a public figure, and none of it was ennobled by his violent end. He is not a martyr. He is no hero. He was a man who built an empire on fueling resentments and fears, and that is a legacy that needs to be exposed, criticized, and challenged, not lionized. -Michael Jochum -

Mike, the hypocrisy is the point. You’re praising Kirk as a champion of free speech while ignoring the division, demonization, and intolerance that were central to his ideology. He wasn’t a hero to everyone just because MAGA turned him into one. His death was tragic, but that doesn’t erase what he stood for or the damage he did.

Kirk was exercising his right to free speech, which I support. But his speech was also hate-speech and decisive. That he was murdered for using is right to free speech was egregious and a serious crime. But he wasn’t an American hero. He didn’t represent the core values of our Founding Principles. He was a racist (which isn’t against the law unless you use violence to express it), and very anti core American values. He wasn’t using his right to free speech to create unity but rather to promote division, racism, and hate.

Charlie Kirk was many things: loud, divisive, hateful, and misogynistic. None of that was necessary to become a public figure, and none of it was ennobled by his violent end. He is not a martyr. He is no hero. He was a man who built an empire on fueling resentments and fears, and that is a legacy that needs to be exposed, criticized, and challenged, not lionized. -Michael Jochum -

Congressman Mark Alford, Kirk was a right wing political activist who espoused his opinions wrapped in Christian Nationalism. He did not represent the views of anyone other than those just like him. It's a tragedy for some when anyone is assassinated. You can grieve personally all you want. But he is not an American hero.

I had no idea who Charlie Kirk was when he died. I later learned he was a podcaster and political activist who has apparently become something of a martyr for the right. Political violence is wrong, period. But it’s hard not to notice the contrast: one political figure is memorialized a year later, while after yet another school shooting we’re usually told it’s “too soon” to talk about it, followed by thoughts and prayers and then moving on.

Charlie Kirk was not a martyr and was not a saint. He was a young man with radical ideas who, in the end, saw a way to make lots of money by firing people up. No person should be shot for their ideas, none of us should fear gunman around every corner. However, the truth is he is a victim of his own beliefs that the unregulated right to have guns is worth the loss of some people.

Charlie Kirk was many things: loud, divisive, hateful, and misogynistic. None of that was necessary to become a public figure, and none of it was ennobled by his violent end. He is not a martyr. He is no hero. He was a man who built an empire on fueling resentments and fears, and that is a legacy that needs to be exposed, criticized, and challenged, not lionized. -Michael Jochum -

Charlie Kirk was not a martyr and was not a saint. He was a young man with radical ideas who, in the end, saw a way to make lots of money by firing people up. No person should be shot for their ideas, none of us should fear gunman around every corner. However, the truth is he is a victim of his own beliefs that the unregulated right to have guns is worth the loss of some people.

Charlie Kirk was a man of GOD who spoke the truth. He was assassinated because of it. Rest In Peace, Charlie! You are loved & missed!

Those that never heard of Charlie Kirk until Sept 10, 2025 had their opinions formed of him by their social media algorithms after his death. He changed many lives for the better. RIP Mr. Kirk

Congressman Mark Alford, Kirk was a right wing political activist who espoused his opinions wrapped in Christian Nationalism. He did not represent the views of anyone other than those just like him. It's a tragedy for some when anyone is assassinated. You can grieve personally all you want. But he is not an American hero.

Kirk was exercising his right to free speech, which I support. But his speech was also hate-speech and decisive. That he was murdered for using is right to free speech was egregious and a serious crime. But he wasn’t an American hero. He didn’t represent the core values of our Founding Principles. He was a racist (which isn’t against the law unless you use violence to express it), and very anti core American values. He wasn’t using his right to free speech to create unity but rather to promote division, racism, and hate.

Charlie Kirk was a strong influential Christian, murdered one year ago today by a Transgender Cult sympathizer. RIP, and pray for his widow and children.

I totally agree that we should always denounce and reject violence. However, what Kirk did was not debate. He engaged only disrespectfully and in bad faith, used hate speech, peddled extremism, and sanctioned political violence when it was against the left. It isn’t honoring the dead to re-write who they were in life.

Charlie Kirk did not deserve to be shot and killed but he was a disseminator of hate, judgementalism, racism and bigotry and that is not something that should be held up and honored.

Engaging in honest, earnest debate wouldn't resemble Kirk at all, but I can get behind condemning political violence.

Mike, the hypocrisy is the point. You’re praising Kirk as a champion of free speech while ignoring the division, demonization, and intolerance that were central to his ideology. He wasn’t a hero to everyone just because MAGA turned him into one. His death was tragic, but that doesn’t erase what he stood for or the damage he did.

Kirk was exercising his right to free speech, which I support. But his speech was also hate-speech and decisive. That he was murdered for using is right to free speech was egregious and a serious crime. But he wasn’t an American hero. He didn’t represent the core values of our Founding Principles. He was a racist (which isn’t against the law unless you use violence to express it), and very anti core American values. He wasn’t using his right to free speech to create unity but rather to promote division, racism, and hate.

Charlie Kirk remembered at GOP midterm convention 1 year after shooting death. Thursday marks one year since conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed at an outdoor speaking engagement at Utah Valley University

Charlie Kirk was not a martyr and was not a saint. He was a young man with radical ideas who, in the end, saw a way to make lots of money by firing people up. No person should be shot for their ideas, none of us should fear gunman around every corner. However, the truth is he is a victim of his own beliefs that the unregulated right to have guns is worth the loss of some people.

Charlie Kirk was a gallant soldier of Christ. He championed truth, peace and love. He will NEVER be forgotten. You can try to soil his name with lies and clipped statements, but what he stood for shines brighter than your hatred ever will. Love will always triumph over hate, light will always overcome the dark.

DEMOCRATS ARE AT WAR WITH AMERICA AND KIRK IS A CASUALTY

Charlie Kirk was many things: loud, divisive, hateful, and misogynistic. None of that was necessary to become a public figure, and none of it was ennobled by his violent end. He is not a martyr. He is no hero. He was a man who built an empire on fueling resentments and fears, and that is a legacy that needs to be exposed, criticized, and challenged, not lionized. -Michael Jochum -

Charlie Kirk was many things: loud, divisive, hateful, and misogynistic. None of that was necessary to become a public figure, and none of it was ennobled by his violent end. He is not a martyr. He is no hero. He was a man who built an empire on fueling resentments and fears, and that is a legacy that needs to be exposed, criticized, and challenged, not lionized. -Michael Jochum -

Charlie Kirk was a martyr. He died a true believer and told the Truth in Love.

Charlie Kirk was not a martyr and was not a saint. He was a young man with radical ideas who, in the end, saw a way to make lots of money by firing people up. No person should be shot for their ideas, none of us should fear gunman around every corner. However, the truth is he is a victim of his own beliefs that the unregulated right to have guns is worth the loss of some people.

Engaging in honest, earnest debate wouldn't resemble Kirk at all, but I can get behind condemning political violence.

I totally agree that we should always denounce and reject violence. However, what Kirk did was not debate. He engaged only disrespectfully and in bad faith, used hate speech, peddled extremism, and sanctioned political violence when it was against the left. It isn’t honoring the dead to re-write who they were in life.

Engaging in honest, earnest debate wouldn't resemble Kirk at all, but I can get behind condemning political violence.

I totally agree that we should always denounce and reject violence. However, what Kirk did was not debate. He engaged only disrespectfully and in bad faith, used hate speech, peddled extremism, and sanctioned political violence when it was against the left. It isn’t honoring the dead to re-write who they were in life.

Charlie Kirk did not deserve to be shot and killed but he was a disseminator of hate, judgementalism, racism and bigotry and that is not something that should be held up and honored.

Charlie Kirk was many things: loud, divisive, hateful, and misogynistic. None of that was necessary to become a public figure, and none of it was ennobled by his violent end. He is not a martyr. He is no hero. He was a man who built an empire on fueling resentments and fears, and that is a legacy that needs to be exposed, criticized, and challenged, not lionized. -Michael Jochum -

What makes it a political assassination? Kirk wasn't a politician.

Charlie Kirk was not a martyr and was not a saint. He was a young man with radical ideas who, in the end, saw a way to make lots of money by firing people up. No person should be shot for their ideas, none of us should fear gunman around every corner. However, the truth is he is a victim of his own beliefs that the unregulated right to have guns is worth the loss of some people.

Charlie Kirk was a martyr. He died a true believer and told the Truth in Love.

What makes it a political assassination? Kirk wasn't a politician.

I had no idea who Charlie Kirk was when he died. I later learned he was a podcaster and political activist who has apparently become something of a martyr for the right. Political violence is wrong, period. But it’s hard not to notice the contrast: one political figure is memorialized a year later, while after yet another school shooting we’re usually told it’s “too soon” to talk about it, followed by thoughts and prayers and then moving on.

Charlie Kirk was a man of GOD who spoke the truth. He was assassinated because of it. Rest In Peace, Charlie! You are loved & missed!

What makes it a political assassination? Kirk wasn't a politician.

Charlie Kirk was not a martyr and was not a saint. He was a young man with radical ideas who, in the end, saw a way to make lots of money by firing people up. No person should be shot for their ideas, none of us should fear gunman around every corner. However, the truth is he is a victim of his own beliefs that the unregulated right to have guns is worth the loss of some people.

Charlie Kirk did not deserve to be shot and killed but he was a disseminator of hate, judgementalism, racism and bigotry and that is not something that should be held up and honored.