Deadly Divides

The fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk has exacerbated concerns over a normalization of political violence, experts tell Newsweek

- by JESUS MESA

THE ASSASSINATION OF INFLUENTIAL conservative commentator Charlie Kirk joins a string of recent public acts of violence that appear to signal a dangerous spike in America's political and ideological tensions.

The founder of right-leaning youth organization Turning Point USA and longtime President Donald Trump ally was delivering a speech under a tent at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on September 10 when a single gunshot struck him in the neck.

As Newsweek went to press, a suspect, Tyler Robinson, 22, from Washington, Utah, was being held on suspicion of aggravated murder.

Earlier this year, Kirk warned on X: “Assassination culture is spreading on the left.” He cited Network Contagion Research Institute polling showing that a significant percentage of self-identified liberals viewed violence against public figures like Donald Trump and Elon Musk as at least “somewhat justified.”

“This is the natural outgrowth of left-wing protest culture tolerating violence and mayhem for years on end,” Kirk, 31, said in the April post.

Alex Goldenberg, senior adviser to the NCRI, said Kirk's shooting reflected warning signs outlined in the group's research. “While we don't yet know enough about the motive, the online celebrations we're seeing are consistent with our research into an emerging assassination culture and a rising appetite for political violence,” he told Newsweek, referencing posts on social platform BlueSky.

Kirk's death has drawn condemnation from all corners of the political spectrum. From Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson to ex-Vice President Kamala Harris and California Governor Gavin Newsom, top officials issued swift statements denouncing the attack and calling for de-escalation.