Throughout his short life, Charlie Kirk enraged many by exposing the hate and hypocrisy of the left in higher education. What is astonishing is that he continues to do it even in death.
As millions mourn his murder around the world, any expressions of sorrow or respect for Kirk are triggering some on the left. Liberals have been arrested for stomping on or burning memorials to Kirk and others have taken to social media to denounce or mock people expressing regrets over the loss. A courthouse memorial was vandalized while a mural to Kirk had to be restored after an attack.
Former Gawker editor Elizabeth Spiers wrote an essay for Nation under the headline: “Charlie Kirk’s Legacy Deserves No Mourning.”
Some of the loudest voices have come from academia.
University of California Irvine lecturer Larry Tenney went on the liberal safe space site, BlueSky, to rave in all caps: “WE KNOW WHO CHARLIE KIRK WAS…”F**k off America” “F**k off Trump” and “F**k all you motherfuckers, idgag about any of you.” (For the non-profane literate, “idgag” means “I don’t give a f**k”).
What is clear from the diatribe is that Kirk also knew exactly who people like Tenney are. He knew that even his appearance or that of his group on campus would trigger many in academia.
For the speech-intolerant, any invitation to debate issues like abortion or transgender policies is intolerable. You are expected to accept their positions as righteous or face their rage. What was even more annoying was the fact that Kirk was winning the debate, young people trapped in the academic echo chamber were showing up en masse as they did at the rally where he died.
Faculty converted higher education into the current echo chamber and then treated students as a captive audience. When given a choice, many rushed to hear alternative views.
Fordham School of Law Professor John Pfaff joined the chorus of those objecting to expressions of respect or regret. Most tellingly, the sin that disqualified Kirk was that he implemented Professor Watchlist, a list of professors deemed the most intolerant and partisan on campuses, so that students could avoid their classes. Pfaff posted:
“Just a reminder Kirk’s organization established the Professor Watchlist, which even the NYT framed as a threat to academic freedom. I don’t get why ppl keep describing him as a good-faith debater. One can say ‘Kirk should not have been murdered’ (which is true!) without engaging in hagiography.”
In Pfaff’s siloed world, the New York Times is apparently so conservative that it is remarkable that “even the NYT” criticized the list. The comment only served to confirm that the relevant scale of comparison for academics today runs exclusively from the left to the far left.
At the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Anthropology professor Tamar Shirinian. Tamar Shirinian wrote:
“The world is better off without him in it. Even those who are claiming to be sad for his wife and kids….like, his kids are better off living in a world without a disgusting psychopath like him and his wife, well, she’s a sick fuck for marrying him so I dont care about her feelings.”
Syracuse University political science assistant professor Jenn M. Jackson announced “him dying this ways seems both ironic and in line with his own politics.”
Others warned that anyone expressing sorrow was only self-identifying for future lists of fascists.
Martin Pfeiffer, PH.D candidate at the University of New Mexico, warned, “Charlie Kirk was a vicious, hateful fascist and white supremacist. To say anything else is a lie and, quite frankly, fascist collaboration.”
Across the country, efforts by a few professors to get their colleagues to sign letters expressing condolences or concerns over the murder were derailed by some of the same passive-aggressive ideologues who engaged in pearl-clutching objections over divisive positions.
What is most striking about these academics is the total lack of self-awareness, even as they adopt the very intolerance of historical villains in their classes.
The response of these professors is reminiscent of the Greek tragedy Antigone by Sophocles in 441 BCE. In the story, the two sons of Oedipus fight to the death for the throne of Thebes. The tyrant ruler Creon ordered that his favorite of the brothers, Eteocles, be buried with honors while banning anyone from mourning or burying the other brother, Polynices.
To be left on the ground unburied and unmourned was considered a great dishonor and sacrilege. It was too much for his sister, Antigone, who defied the tyrant and buried her brother. For that, Antigone was walled up in a cave and committed suicide.
Kirk’s critics will allow him to be buried, of course, but some cannot tolerate mourning his passing any more than they could tolerate his speaking.
I have opposed calls for firing academics making hateful comments outside of their official duties or accounts. Charlie spent his life opposing cancel campaigns and censorship.
However, it is crushingly ironic to see media and faculty suddenly outraged about cancel campaigns after years of ignoring the purging of conservatives from campuses. Most faculty crying foul today have been entirely silent when conservatives, including Kirk, were targeted in the past.
Faculty have spent decades purging conservatives and libertarians from departments, leaving higher education mired in orthodoxy and intolerance. It is the education version of what Sophocles wrote in Antigone: “A city which belongs to just one man is no true city.” In the same way, a university which belongs to only liberal idelogy is no true university.
Charlie Kirk loving quotes…
“Gay people should be stoned to death.”
“Most people are scared when they see a Black pilot flying a plane.”
“Taylor Swift should reject feminism and submit to her husband.”
“British Colonialism was what ‘made the world decent’.”
“Multiple Black politicians ‘stole white people’s spots’.”
“MLK Jr was ‘an awful person’.”
“The Great Replacement Theory is reality.”
“Vaccine requirements are ‘medical apartheid’.”
I hope this never happens, but just think, maybe his kids will die of a disease that is easily prevented with a vaccine.
“Gun deaths are acceptable in order to have a 2nd Amendment.”
RIP Charlie, you got your wish.
“Women’s natural place is under their husband’s control.”
“George Floyd had it coming, the Jan 6th protestors didn’t.”
“The 1964 Civil Rights Act was a ‘huge mistake’.”
“Encouraged parents to protest mask mandates.”
“Mamdani winning in NY is a travesty because Muslims did 9/11.”
169 people died (which included 6 children) in the Oklahoma City bombing by Timothy McVeigh a white male conservative.
“Muslims only come to America to destabilize Western civilization.”
Can we all please bow down and worship this loving man please?
Which ones are they going to put on his tombstone?
“Gay people should be stoned to death.”
That is a lie.
Kirk never said any such thing. It is a vicious smear spread by Stephen King, a lie that he has retracted and apologized for:
“I apologize for saying Charlie Kirk advocated stoning gays.” (King)
Since your very first “quote” is a lie, why should anyone believe any of the others?
We see who you are misquoting and cherry picking charlie kirks words. It’s those odd very intolerant ones like you that cause so much grief out there in the real world .
Please show evidence that any of this was said by him I am sure you cannot provide evidence because none of what you claim is actually true and there will be no evidence provided by you because it is all a lie which is typical of people like you just make things up and put it out in the world as if it’s true
JT what is your thoughts about trump supporters destroying the Capitol Building? Assaulting Capital Police?
They were good American protestors. Unfortunately, the unruly crowd of self-serving politicians on the left, along with bad actors on all sides, marred what is one of the greatest things Americans have: the ability to protest.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Turley
The NY Times today appears to have considered me, a many-decades subscriber) to be a Trumpist, or possibly an anti-vaxxer or maybe MAGA). I must go through a separate process in order to post a comment. My comments are pretty both-sides-ish and non-confrontational.
I think the anti-Trumpists are declaring that the Apocalypse has arrived.
Behold a Dark Horse.
Mohammeds steed?
Who will hold their breadth until Turley writes an article criticizing Trump’s FCC for censorship and literal cancel culture, by pressuring networks to terminate shows that express disfavored speech?!
You don’t know that as fact. It’s simply the narrative of your preference…
“If you go back, I guess they haven’t had a conservative on in years or something, somebody said, but when you go back and take a look, all they do is hit Trump,” trump said, according to CBS’s Kathryn Watson. “They’re licensed. They’re not allowed to do that.”
The antigoners, and the, justgonners…
“President Trump Designates Far-Left Antifa a Terrorist Organization”
–Paul Bois17 Sep 2025
“I am pleased to inform our many U.S.A. Patriots that I am designating ANTIFA, A SICK, DANGEROUS, RADICAL LEFT DISASTER, AS A MAJOR TERRORIST ORGANIZATION,” Trump wrote. “I will also be strongly recommending that those funding ANTIFA be thoroughly investigated in accordance with the highest legal standards and practices. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2025/09/17/trump-designates-far-left-antifa-terrorist-organization/
“Report: Kimmel Refused to Apologize for Charlie Kirk Remarks on Air”
–Joel B. Pollak18 Sep 2025
“Nexstar issued a statement late Wednesday they would not air tonight’s episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! and would preempt the show for the foreseeable future.”
https://www.breitbart.com/entertainment/2025/09/18/report-kimmel-refused-to-apologize-for-charlie-kirk-remarks-on-air/
—————————————–
–Oddball
“Take it easy Big Joe, some of these people got sensitive feelings.”
What drives the Left to this violence? Charlie Kirk had the temerity to challenge the Left in the heart of their sacred indoctrination centers, their very kingdoms –the universities. How dare he step foot on their sacred ground?! And, this boiling pot has spilled over, making naked the intent of the Left. They just cannot get abide that a Conservative was successfully reaching the Left’s loyal subjects–their students. Kirk’s success completely enrages them. How dare someone invade their indoctrination kingdoms! And, furthermore, he accomplished this successfully and peacefully! This further enraged them. And the Decent people now recoil from them! The Left’s ugly rage is nakedly exposed for all to see how dark and empty their souls are. What is so pitiful is the Left has no understanding of WHY their failing vice-grip on their indoctrination kingdoms occurred. It cracked. They stand in disbelief! How can this happen? The Left’s indoctrination kingdoms are exposed for what they are. And because they are so devoid of any other thought, they are reduced to ugly temper tantrums and dangerous rage. And, now the Decent people see it for what it is.
Meanwhile, in reality, arrests were made re: death threats to NYC mayoral candidate Mamdani.
What drives the “Right” (Left and Right are imagined communities) to this violence?
These actions are taken not by guns, not by the “Left,” the “Right,” “MAGA,” or any other group, but by a single person. Karl Rove said it best in his article this morning.
Shame on anyone who attributes this tragedy to anyone or anything other than the perpetrator who fired the bullet.
I’ll say what I said a few days ago on this hellish f#$k pit of a blog…, the killing of Kirk was a tragedy, full stop. And his character traits of being a racist misogynist put him in good position to be celebrated and memorialized by other racists and misogynists…
People who don’t celebrate those character traits are in no way bound to celebrate the life of Kirk though….
Sidebar: Turls, history will show that the fascist movement you so often defend began to break apart at exactly this moment…, so close to the finish line, so close to its Russian, Hungarian and Turkish inspired climax. I’m certainly getting the popcorn ready!!
You should’ve kept your word when you wrote, “full Stop.” You didn’t….You know, people who think as you do tend to eat their own. I’d eat that popcorn quickly so you can finish it before they put you on the platter for the next course …
^ Chinese Communist Party troll. Ignore. ^
proof?
If it’s a hellish pit of a blog, why are you here. And why don’t you have the guts to identify yourself and own your views. Coward. Full Stop.
And yet you still vote for that party and those people. Your lecture to us about this subject falls on deaf ears.
A system based on lies cannot survive if enough people refuse to be intimidated by the liars in power.
https://europeanconservative.com/articles/commentary/charlie-kirk-viktor-orban-and-the-lies-of-gender-ideology/
Interestingly Goebbels said the same thing – inverted –
“If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State.”
What system isn’t based on a lie?
America’s government was largely based on myths. Paul Revere’s Ride for example.
OT
OMG! Kash Patel tells us that FBI agents must be able to do pull ups. Whodda thunk it? How ’bout firemen? Oops, firewomen? Is there such a thing as all-woman-only police or fire departments? Of course not. Get real. Repeal the 19th Dumbmendment, yesterday!
OFF TOPIC
JT – Since you were just there… (CZE)
Czech ammo lifeline for Ukraine comes under fire at home
Former PM Andrej Babiš wants to cancel Prague’s ammunition initiative, but critics warn that would harm both Prague and Kyiv.
By: Csongor Körömi ~ September 16, 2025
https://www.politico.eu/article/czech-republic-andrej-babis-ammunition-war-in-ukraine/
*. Moving Antigone forward, she needed freedom of religion on her side. 😉
OT, something nobody seems to be talking about: President Trump is the first American president to have two official state visits to the British monarch. What a difference from his first visit, too, where only QE2 would receive him. My, my, how things have changed. All royals were on board to welcome President Trump this time. IMO, much of that is due to his survival of all the evil lawfare and assassination attempts by the left, to emerge victorious in the election, and grow into his role of leader of the entire free world. (Only TDS-addled deranged lunatic Trump-haters deny it. They might even respond to this comment with their absurd and deranged denials.)
“OT, something nobody seems to be talking about: President Trump is the first American president to have two official state visits to the British monarch.”
He is also going to be the first and last President two have two official state visits with two different British monarchs.
I suspect it is more because Elizabeth Did not need Trump – but it was protocol and she was not going to disrespect the president of the UK’s most critical ally.
But the shoe is on the other foot now – Charles does NOT have the gravitas of Elizabeth and He and the other Royals are made more relevant by Trump
You are right John. Charles is way over his head.
The truly pathetic part of this is that Charlie was killed for having an opinion and the courage to express it openly and freely. He wasn’t an elected official, he wasn’t a politician, he was a young man that created a movement that he could simply express his opinions grounded by his Christian beliefs. He didn’t pass bills in Congress stealing your money, he didn’t sit on boards frivolously giving away your tax dollars or setting economic policy, he didn’t pass laws to persecute you or remove your freedoms and liberty or mire us in endless wars. He didn’t do any of that, instead he fought to assure all Americans would have a voice and an opinion whether he agreed with it or not.
Prayers for Charlie’s family as well as mercy for the Robinson family.
It’s not left-v-right. It’s good-v-evil. It’s light-v-darkness. Murder and celebrating murder is darkness/evil.
Misinformation as Trump gives our Republic back to german aka brit. Crown.
Both young men deceived by Royals.
Constitution Day!
Treaty of Verona clan must be kicked out of our American Republic. Treason is no longer normalization.
lay off the boose
You know that your ranting is illiterate, don’t you?
BIDEN administration went after Charlie Kirk/Turning Point USA! THE LEFT IS SICK!
Charlie Kirk’s blood is on their hands. Think of the Biden red-background speech casting people like Charlie Kirk as fascists who must be silenced. Joe Biden has blood on his hands. So do his speech writers.
This Biden offense is known as “The Red Speech.” He is flanked by Marines, and the entire stage is awash in blood-red light, where Biden openly snarls and vilifies “fellow Americans.” No wonder the children behave like criminals: they grew into politics watching and listening to the vitriol of a degenerate.
Joke has what on his hands? Try dukie. Jinx most likely makes him sit in it. Sad ending for anyone even a dem i don,t see eye to eye with. BUT he was our resident in chief for what it was.
If there had been a compassionate and human reaction from the left, the nation could possibly have healed from Charlie Kirk’s murder. That is not possible now. There comes a time when sane people must say, “No.” It is not acceptable to celebrate an innocent man’s murder just because you disagreed with him politically. In fact, it is quite literally evil. There can be no unity with evil. There can be no reconciliation or healing. Sorry to say, but that’s how it is.
Yep, it’s not looking good.
Do you know the reason, omfk, no one beats the devil? The devil cheats.
OT
Men and women aren’t equal. Only men inherit the exact copy of the Y chromosomes from their father. No woman can trace her exact patrilineal ancestors except if she has a brother or a living uncle or her father’s DNA. It’s a little sad because that DNA is forever gone. That lock of hair in with a ribbon….in a locket with a photo. Sorry ladies.
Both males and females have their mother’s mitochondrial DNA and that can be used by both.
Trans fatigue, let’s move on from this disorder and say simply be healthy as you are. Personally , I don’t want to hear of Kirk’s killer’s love life, please.
* Kirk killer’s…
Over the past week I’ve been trying to understand why those who so vehemently dislike Charlie Kirk thought he was hateful. I’ve watched videos of many of his exchanges with college students, and he didn’t demonstrate hatefulness in those exchanges. It now occurs to me that I don’t think those exchanges were hateful, because those are the kind of exchanges I (and my fellow students) had with our high school teachers and college professors when I was young. I’m 70 years old, and I remember teachers and professors challenging us to think and to problem solve. There was nothing hateful about it. I’ve come to the conclusion that many people think that Charlie Kirk was a hateful person simply because he challenged them and didn’t agree with them.
Teslagrazzio
I believe the hatred towards Charlie is a manifestation of the hate they have for themselves. These are the same misguided souls that hate and deny God. They hate God for making them the way they look or the way they feel. They are empty vessels, narcissistic people oblivious to the reality other than what they see as their own. They are a hole that can never be filled.
They are angry that life dealt them a losing hand. Everyone got a losing hand in reality.
I’ve come to the conclusion that many people think that Charlie Kirk was a hateful person simply because he challenged them and didn’t agree with them.
I believe you are correct.
And maybe people think Charlie Kirk was hateful because he said hateful things?
Don’t get me wrong but conversion therapy is wrong, voodoo and hateful and thinking God sends people to hell is wrong, voodoo and hateful. People send people to hell.
That might shed some light. Antigone suggests the golden mean.