News24 | ‘Bringing out the worst in people’: Supporters of slain activist Charlie Kirk target critics

US President Donald Trump shakes hands with conservative activist Charlie Kirk at a forum dubbed the Generation Next Summit at the White House on 22 March 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

• Charlie Kirk was assassinated in Utah, deepening political tensions in the US as reactions to his death ranged from tributes to divisive criticisms.
• Supporters of Kirk have pursued critics of his death online, often leading to significant real-world consequences, such as job losses for individuals.
• Political figures, including US President Donald Trump, honoured Kirk with high-profile memorials while government officials have taken steps against those perceived to mock or condone the killing. 

For some Americans on the far right, Charlie Kirk died a “martyr” and any criticism of the hugely popular conservative activist must be punished.

Online vitriol and grassroots persecution have exploded in the wake of the assassination of the 31-year-old who had been an electrifying presence on the US right, with the killing further deepening fraught political divisions in the country.

READ | Right-wing anger surges as Kirk’s killing fuels calls for vengeance

Laura Sosh-Lightsy, assistant dean of students at a university in the southern state of Tennessee, found herself in hot water after posting on social media about Kirk’s death.

“Hate begets hate. ZERO sympathy,” she said on Facebook after the killing, which happened on Wednesday in front of a large crowd at a university in Utah.

Republican US Senator Marsha Blackburn quickly called out the comment – and Sosh-Lightsy.

“This person should be ashamed of her post. She should be removed from her position,” the Tennessee lawmaker said.

Middle Tennessee State University’s president announced that same night an employee’s firing for a “callous” comment about Kirk.

Kirk, who rallied his millions of followers to help President Donald Trump win a second White House term, was both revered and reviled for his pro-gun, anti-abortion and anti-immigrant rhetoric.

Shooting suspect Tyler Robinson, who was arrested Thursday, is said to have engraved anti-fascist messages on his bullet casings. This has led to a large part of the American right labelling him a “far-left” killer.

Some Kirk supporters have turned into online sleuths, searching out accounts that praised or celebrated Kirk’s murder.

READ | World leaders react to Charlie Kirk killing: ‘We must all be free to debate’

“If they have their picture on their profile, even without a name, download the picture and reverse image search it,” conservative influencer Joey Mannarino said.

“Cross-reference it with their LinkedIn profile and find their place of employment. Call the place of employment, leave Google reviews.”

These efforts have targeted teachers, firefighters and even military personnel, some of whom have lost their jobs.

Kirk’s murder has been condemned by both sides of the political aisle. But Trump quickly blamed the country’s “radical left”, even as authorities were only just launching a manhunt for the killer.

Online trackers have targeted an Oklahoma teacher, who posted on social media:

That teacher has since been investigated by the state’s Department of Education, which described his comments as “abhorrent”.

Stadium memorial service

Trump, who praised Kirk as a “giant of his generation”, has led the US government in memorialising the activist, with high-ranking US officials working to weed out critics of Kirk and his legacy.

Trump ordered flags lowered to half-staff in honour of his ally, and Kirk’s body was flown from Utah to his home in Phoenix, Arizona aboard Air Force Two, escorted by Vice President JD Vance.

Meanwhile, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered members of the military to identify colleagues who mocked or celebrated Kirk’s death.

US Under Secretary of State Christopher Landau declared that “foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country”.

READ: John Matisonn | Charlie Kirk hit exposes US’ deepening political violence on both sides

“I have been disgusted to see some on social media praising, rationalising, or making light of the event, and have directed our consular officials to undertake appropriate action,” he said in a post on X.

“Please feel free to bring such comments by foreigners to my attention so the @statedept can protect the American people.”

Laura Loomer, a far-right conspiracy theorist who has Trump’s ear, has been one of the most high-profile attackers of Kirk’s critics.

She denounced an employee of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), who had expressed disgust on Instagram that flags would be lowered for “the literal racist homophobe misogynist”.

Loomer shared the staffer’s LinkedIn profile and said:

Following Loomer’s post, FEMA said the employee was placed on leave for making “revolting and unconscionable” comments.

On Saturday, Kirk’s organisation Turning Point USA announced a memorial service for its founder will be held on 21 September, in a suburb of Phoenix.

The chosen venue hints at the expected turnout: a stadium normally home to a professional football team, with a seating capacity of more than 63 000.