Charlie Kirk death-like incidents could occur more in U.S., warn experts, ask Donald Trump to take bold step

Charlie Kirk's death by suspected assassin Tyler Robinson led to partisans fighting over which side was to blame for the demise of conservative activist and icon. President Donald Trump became the most prominent to do so, tying the attack to “the radical left” before a suspect was even identified. It was part of a new, grim tradition in a polarized country — trying to pin immediate responsibility for an act of public violence on one of two political sides. As the nation reels from a wave of physical attacks against both Republicans and Democrats, experts warn that the rush to blame sometimes ambiguous and irrational acts on political movements could lead to more conflict.

“What you’re seeing now is exactly how the spiral of violence occurs,” said Robert Pape, a political scientist and director of the Chicago Project on Security and Threats at the University of Chicago.

Kirk, the 31-year-old father of two young children was an icon on the new, populist right, especially among young conservatives, and a key ally of Trump. While some conservatives called for calm, others, such as conspiracy theorist Alex Jones and podcaster and former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, called for “war.”


Many prominent Democrats issued statements urging calm on both sides. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, also called for lowering the temperature across the board.

On Friday, authorities announced they had arrested 22-year-old Tyler Robinson of Washington, Utah, in the shooting. While a registered voter, he was not affiliated with any party and had not voted in the last two general elections. Even so, officials said Robinson had recently grown more political and expressed negative views about Kirk.

There was other initial evidence of Robinson's potential influences. According to court papers, he carved taunting phrases into his ammunition — including one bullet casing marked with “Hey, fascist! Catch!” — and others from the irony-laden world of memes and online video games.

Worried about Donald Trump

Pape, of the University of Chicago, said those who engage in political violence are often not the same as the partisans who stoke debates online. He said about 40 per cent of those who perpetrate political violence have a mental illness.

“When there is strong support in the public for political violence, that nudges people over the edge because they think they’re acting in community interest,” he said.

He said he worried about Trump’s one-sided condemnation of left-wing violence, saying it will only inflame the conflict. He compared it to when some liberals condemn all Trump voters as racists.

“The constituents of whoever is doing this, it emboldens them,” Pape said. As for the group being tarnished as uniquely violent, “it creates a bigger sense of defiance,” he added. “What we need to do is convince Trump to do more restraining of his side because we’re really in a tinderbox moment.”

FAQs

Q1. Who is President of U.S.?
A1. President of U.S. is Donald Trump.

Q2. Who killed Charlie Kirk?
A2. The suspected shooter of Charlie Kirk is Tyler Robinson.