The killing of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk has ignited strong reactions among right-wing commentators, with several declaring that his death marks an escalation in America’s political conflict.
Kirk, 31, was shot and killed on Wednesday while speaking at Utah Valley State University. The event was the first stop on his planned 15-city American Comeback Tour. Authorities said no suspect had been arrested and the motive for the shooting remained unclear.
That has not stopped prominent voices on the right from issuing explosive claims and warnings. Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones quickly blamed Democrats, calling the attack part of a broader campaign against conservatives.
“The left has been saying, ‘put a bullseye on Trump, put a bullseye on his supporters.’ They’ve been calling for violence,” Jones said in a video recorded from his car. “They’re going to attack.”
Jones also posted a long clip from his show, adding a caption that read, “Emergency Warning! The Democrat Deep State Killed Charlie Kirk In A Desperate Attempt To Shut Down Populist Free Speech And Conservative / Nationalist Voting Recruitment On College Campuses.”
Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon echoed the sentiment during his War Room broadcast. “We have to have steely resolve. Charlie Kirk is a casualty of war. We are at war in this country. We are,” he said.
Fox News host Jesse Watters told viewers that Kirk’s death would be avenged. “Trump gets hit in the ear, Charlie [Kirk] gets shot dead,” Watters said on The Five. “Think about it… It’s happening. You’ve got trans shooters, you’ve got riots in L.A. They are at war with us.
Whether we want to accept it or not, they are at war with us.” Watters pressed further, asking, “How much political violence are we going to tolerate? And that’s the question we are going to have to ask ourselves.”
He concluded his remarks by saying, “We are sick. We are sad. We are angry. And we are resolute. And we are going to avenge Charlie’s death in the way that Charlie wanted to be avenged.” Later in the program, his co-host Greg Gutfeld said the shooting would not silence the conservative movement Kirk had helped to build.
“If you thought that you were going to shut a movement down, you’re going to get a rude awakening,” Gutfeld said. “You woke us the f–k up.” Authorities have yet to provide further details about the suspect or possible motives. Kirk leaves behind his wife and two young children.