In the chaotic hours following the shocking attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally, two prominent American media figures have found themselves at the centre of a fierce online backlash for their incendiary remarks.
Dave Portnoy, the outspoken founder of Barstool Sports, and Charlie Kirk, the founder of the conservative youth group Turning Point USA, posted comments on social media platform X that were swiftly condemned as irresponsible and dangerous.
Portnoy's 'Civil War' Declaration Sparks Fury
Portnoy, known to his followers as 'El Presidente', took to X to post a video of the shooting's aftermath. His accompanying text was a stark and unambiguous call to arms: "Civil War. Nothing less. Not sure how it doesn't end this way. If they can shoot a former President and the presumptive nominee they can do anything. This is war."
The post was met with immediate criticism from users who accused him of escalating an already volatile situation and inciting violence. Many called for the platform to remove the content, labelling it a clear violation of policies against incitement.
Kirk's Conspiratorial Claim Draws Widespread Condemnation
Almost simultaneously, Charlie Kirk amplified the tension with a post that pushed a rapidly forming conspiracy theory. He directly questioned the motives of the Secret Service, implying a sinister plot rather than a catastrophic security failure.
"The question every American is asking: was the Secret Service somehow complicit in this?" Kirk wrote. This baseless insinuation, made before any official facts were established, was decried by commentators across the political spectrum as reckless and a blatant attempt to undermine trust in federal institutions for political gain.
A Digital Firestorm Erupts
The reactions from the online community were swift and severe. One user directly challenged Portnoy's narrative, writing, "This is not war. This is the act of a lone, despicable individual. Your rhetoric is dangerous."
Another response targeted Kirk's conspiracy-mongering, stating, "Spreading baseless conspiracy theories about the Secret Service being complicit minutes after a shooting is the height of irresponsibility. You should be ashamed."
The controversy highlights the intense and often toxic nature of online political discourse, where major events are instantly met with polarising commentary that can often outpace the facts. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the powerful influence media personalities wield and the potential consequences of their words in moments of national crisis.
