Charlie Kirk, Trump ally and political pundit, was shot while attending an event at Utah Valley University. It has been confirmed that Kirk died as a result. Kirk was an incredibly divisive figure and many political pundits are using this shooting to remind people that political violence is not the answer.
Kirk was shot at the first of his “Prove Me Wrong” tour where he planned to debate topics with college students. Many across the political spectrum have condemned the shooting, including Gun Control Activist David Hogg, who wrote on X “Horrifying news that Charlie Kirk has been shot. Gun violence and political violence have to fucking stop. Charlie, his family, and all the students who had to witness the shooting are in my thoughts. We have disagreements, but we all agree something has to change.”
Many in the Trump administration have shared their upset over Kirk’s death. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that he is “heartbroken” and outraged. “Charlie Kirk’s commitment to America’s future generations and sense of patriotism will resonate for decades to come,” he said.
Stephen Miller, the White House Deputy Chief of Staff, called him an “extraordinary husband and father” and compared Kirk to a champion. “America has lost one of its greatest champions,” Miller said. “All of us must now dedicate ourselves to defeating the evil that stole Charlie from this world.”
Actor Chris Pratt prayed for Kirk’s family, writing “Praying for Charlie Kirk right now, for his wife and young children, for our country. We need God’s grace. God help us.” Other political voices, like Democratic Mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani, shared their upset over the news. “Political violence has no place in our country,” Mamdani wrote on X.
Mamdani is correct. Political violence helps no one. Time and time again, Americans have been subjected to the idea that gun violence is a way to get a message across and it is not. It is also important to remember, as the People for Bernie account shared, that you do not have to have a response to the current news.
Former President Joe Biden shared his thoughts and prayers with Kirk’s family. “There is no place in our country for this kind of violence. It must end now,” Biden said in a post on X. “Jill and I are praying for Charlie Kirk’s family and loved ones.”
As Hogg said, something must change in this country. Despite what Kirk believed about gun control, the sheer amount of mass shootings that take place in America need to come to an end.
(source: BBC, featured image: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
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