I would probably spend at least 2 minutes investigating before I made such an unlikely accusation about someone who was just murdered for the perception of their opinions.
"In an age of podcasters ensconced in the safety of their home studios, Charlie Kirk met young people where they were, on college campuses, and invited them to debate.
This is what it means to be an American—to crave the voices of those you disagree with, and the rush of trying to convince them.
And it is this that led to his murder.
A culture on the Left, opposed to honest, spirited debate, has demonized the views of the other side as “hateful,” as fascism, as Nazism.
When you call your political opponents Hitler enough times, you’ve signed their death warrant."
My column @nypost on Charlie Kirk's assassination:
@StephenKing appreciate this apology. some people cherry pick biblical passages. others cherry pick quotes they think will make political opponents look particularly bad.
We should all feel a deep sense of grief and outrage at the terrible violence that took place in Utah today. Charlie Kirk's murder is sick and reprehensible, and our thoughts are with his family, children, and loved ones.
I knew Charlie, and I admired his passion and commitment to debate. His senseless murder is a reminder of how important it is for all of us, across the political spectrum, to foster genuine discourse on issues that deeply affect us all without resorting to political violence.
The best way to honor Charlie's memory is to continue his work: engage with each other, across ideology, through spirited discourse. In a democracy, ideas are tested through words and good-faith debate — never through violence.
Honest disagreement makes us stronger; violence only drives us further apart and corrodes the values at the heart of this nation.
In the last few years we've seen:
- The plot to kidnap Gretchen Whitmer
- The Storming of the Capitol and pipe bombs left at the RNC and DNC
- The break-in to kidnap Nancy Pelosi and the brutal on Paul Pelosi
- Multiple assassination attempts against Trump
- The assassination of Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband and the shooting of on State Senator John Hoffman and his wife
- Luigi Mangione's assassination of Brian Thompson
- The assassination of Charlie Kirk
Political violence is contagious. It is spreading. It is not confined to one side or belief system. It should terrify us all.
The foundation of a free society is the ability to participate in it without fear of violence. Political violence is always an attack against us all. You have to be so blind not to see that.