Fox News host Greg Gutfeld has ignited a firestorm of controversy and internal strife following his contentious remarks on the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.
During a segment on his popular show, Gutfeld suggested that 'death on both sides' of the political divide was a form of 'equaliser', a comment immediately condemned as grotesquely inappropriate by co-host Charlie Kirk and a slew of furious viewers.
A Heated On-Air Confrontation
The tension was palpable as Kirk, a prominent conservative commentator, interrupted Gutfeld, stating he could not let the 'both sides' argument stand. 'No. I'm sorry, Greg... This is not the time for the 'both sides' argument,' Kirk asserted, calling the remark 'one of the most insane things' he had heard.
This dramatic on-air clash highlights the deep divisions within conservative media on how to respond to the shocking event in Pennsylvania.
Viewer Backlash and Accusations
The backlash was swift and severe on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Viewers accused Gutfeld of minimising political violence and creating a false equivalence. One user slammed the host for 'trying to both-sides an assassination attempt,' while others labelled the commentary 'disgusting' and a 'new low'.
Many called for Gutfeld to be removed from the airwaves, with criticisms focusing on the perceived insensitivity and timing of his analysis so soon after the attack.
The Fallout and Wider Implications
This incident underscores the intense pressure and scrutiny faced by media personalities in the wake of the attack. Gutfeld's attempt to contextualise the violence within the broader, increasingly heated American political landscape backfired spectacularly.
The emphatic pushback from a fellow Fox host signals a clear boundary within the network's discourse, rejecting any narrative that appears to share blame for a targeted political assassination attempt. The episode serves as a stark reminder of the volatile nature of political rhetoric and its real-world consequences.
