Right-wing commentator and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk has ignited a political firestorm after suggesting the assassination of Utah's Republican Governor, Spencer Cox, could be considered a valid topic for discussion.
The incendiary remarks were made during Kirk's podcast, The Charlie Kirk Show, and have drawn swift and severe condemnation from figures across the political divide.
A Chilling Suggestion on Air
The controversy erupted as Kirk discussed Governor Cox's recent veto of a bill that would have restricted transgender individuals from using bathrooms aligning with their gender identity. Kirk characterised the veto as a 'betrayal' of conservative values.
In a segment that has since gone viral, Kirk posed a question to his guest, former Trump administration official Kash Patel. He asked: 'Is it legitimate to say, maybe a governor who does this should be assassinated? I'm not saying that... I'm just asking is that a legitimate question to ask?'
Patel immediately and unequivocally shut down the dangerous line of questioning, responding: 'No, it's not legitimate, Charlie. We don't incite violence... We're not going to kill anybody.'
Fierce Backlash and Condemnation
The clip quickly spread across social media, prompting a wave of outrage. Many critics accused Kirk of dangerously flirting with political violence and normalising extremist rhetoric.
Governor Cox's office issued a strong statement in response, highlighting the alarming nature of the comments. 'The increasing and casual rhetoric about political violence in this country is irresponsible and dangerous,' a spokesperson said. 'It has no place in our public discourse and must be condemned.'
Despite the backlash, Kirk appeared to double down on his position in a post on X (formerly Twitter), defending his right to ask 'provocative questions' while stopping short of apologising for the specific content of his remarks.
A Pattern of Provocative Rhetoric
This incident is not an isolated one for Kirk, who has built a prominent media profile on often controversial and hard-right commentary. His organisation, Turning Point USA, is a major force in conservative youth politics.
However, this latest episode has drawn criticism from within conservative circles, with some commentators warning that such language is damaging to the party and to civil discourse overall. The event underscores the tense and highly charged atmosphere permeating American politics, where rhetoric increasingly flirts with violence.
