To some Americans on the right, Charlie Kirk died a “martyr” and any criticism of the very popular conservative activist should be punished.
Online vitriol and public backlash have exploded in the wake of the killing of the 31-year-old, who was an electrifying presence on the US far right, and the killing has further deepened political divisions in the country.
Laura Sosh-Lighty, an assistant dean of students at Tennessee Southern State University, found herself in hot water after posting on social media about Kirk’s death.
“Hate breeds hate. Zero compassion,” she said on Facebook after the killing, which took place in front of a large crowd at the University of Utah on Wednesday.
Republican U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn quickly called out the comment and Sosh-Lighty.
“This person should be ashamed of her position. She should be removed from her position,” the Tennessee lawmaker said.
The president of Middle Tennessee State University announced the firing of an employee that same night for making a “careless” comment about Kirk.
Kirk, who rallied his millions of followers to help US President Donald Trump win a second term in the White House, was both respected and vilified for his pro-gun, anti-abortion and anti-immigrant rhetoric.
Shooting suspect Tyler Robinson, who was arrested Thursday, is alleged to have engraved anti-fascist messages on his bullet casings, leading much of the American right to label him a “leftist” killer.
Some Kirk supporters have gone on an online killing spree, seeking out accounts that praised or celebrated Kirk’s assassination.
“If they have a picture on their profile, even without a title, download the picture and do a reverse image search for it,” said conservative influencer Joey Mannarino.
“By sending it to their LinkedIn profile and finding their place of employment. Call the place of employment, leave Google reviews.”
These efforts are targeting teachers, firefighters and even military personnel, some of whom have lost their jobs.
Kirk’s murder has been condemned by both sides of the political aisle. But Trump was quick to blame the country’s “radical left,” even as authorities were only just beginning to hunt for the killer.
Online trolls are targeting an Oklahoma teacher who posted on social media: “Charlie Kirk died the way he lived: bringing out the worst in people.”
The teacher has since been investigated by the State Department of Education, which described his comments as “disgusting.”
Trump, who praised Kirk as a “giant of his generation,” has led the US government in memorializing the activist, and senior US officials are working to address 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, on two Air Force Ones, accompanied by Vice President J.D. Vance.
Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered military personnel to identify colleagues who mocked or celebrated Kirk’s death.
US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau stated that “foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country.”
“I am disgusted to see some on social media praising, rationalizing or exploiting the event, and I have directed our consular officials to take appropriate action,” he said in a statement on X.
“Please feel free to address such comments from foreigners so that @stateTePt can protect the American people.”
Laura Loomer, a far-right conspiracy theorist who has Trump’s ear, has been one of Kirk’s most vocal critics.
She condemned a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) employee who had expressed disgust on Instagram that the flags would be lowered as a “literally racist homophobic misogynist.”
Loomer shared the employee’s LinkedIn profile and said, “These people hate us. They don’t belong anywhere near the levers of our national power.”
Following Loomer’s resignation, FEMA said the employee was placed on leave for making “disturbed and disturbing” comments.
On Saturday, Kirk’s organization, Milestone USA, announced that a memorial service for its founder would be held on September 21 in a Phoenix suburb.
The chosen venue hints at the expected turnout: a stadium that typically houses a professional football team, with a seating capacity of more than 63,000.
Published – September 15, 2025 09:38 IST
