The Rising Tide of Political Violence: Honoring Charlie Kirk’s Legacy

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Today, we confront a heartbreaking tragedy: the assassination of Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, on September 10, 2025. This post explores his murder, the alarming pattern of left-wing political violence, and what we must do to fight back—peacefully but resolutely.

Charlie Kirk’s Assassination: A Targeted Attack

Charlie Kirk, just 31, was gunned down at Utah Valley University during his American Comeback Tour. While engaging students in his signature "Prove Me Wrong" debates, a 22-year-old shooter, radicalized by leftist ideology, took his life with a single shot. Charlie, a husband and father of two, left behind his wife, Erica, and their children. This wasn’t random—it was a deliberate political assassination.

The shooter’s ties to a partner with anti-conservative and anti-Christian views, combined with social media posts hinting at the attack weeks in advance, point to a chilling premeditation. These posts, some linked to individuals with extreme ideological leanings, used dehumanizing language that echoes the left’s rhetoric labeling conservatives as "fascists" or "threats to democracy." Charlie’s death is a stark reminder of what happens when such rhetoric festers unchecked.

A Disturbing Pattern of Violence

Charlie’s murder is not an isolated event but part of a broader wave of political violence targeting conservatives. Here are a few examples that expose this trend:

• 2017 Congressional Baseball Shooting: A Bernie Sanders supporter opened fire on Republican lawmakers practicing for a charity baseball game, nearly killing Rep. Steve Scalise. The attacker’s anti-Republican vitriol was fueled by the same divisive rhetoric we see today.

• 2024 Trump Assassination Attempts: Twice in 2024, assailants targeted President Trump—once at a Pennsylvania rally and again at his Florida golf course. Both were influenced by media narratives painting Trump as a danger to democracy, yet the media barely scrutinized their own role.

• 2020 Riots: The Black Lives Matter riots caused billions in damage and dozens of deaths, with cities like Portland and Seattle enduring months of chaos. The media downplayed these as "mostly peaceful," revealing their bias.

A troubling thread in recent attacks is the involvement of individuals influenced by radical ideologies, often amplified in academic and online echo chambers. This pattern, consistently ignored by mainstream outlets, demands our attention.

The Media’s Role in Normalizing Violence

The media’s double standard is glaring. Conservative protests, like January 6, are endlessly scrutinized, while left-wing violence—riots, assassinations, and threats against figures like Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh—is brushed off as isolated or justified. When conservative leaders are attacked, the media shifts focus to their "controversial" views rather than condemning the violence. This selective outrage normalizes attacks on conservatives while vilifying their pushback.

How We Fight Back

Charlie Kirk’s death is a call to action. Here’s how we honor his legacy and confront this crisis:

1. Stay Vocal: Silence is what the left wants. Erica Kirk, now leading Turning Point USA, has vowed to expand its mission tenfold. With over 62,000 new chapter requests since Charlie’s death, the movement is growing stronger.

2. Document Everything: The media won’t report the truth, so we must. Share every instance of left-wing violence and expose the patterns they ignore.

3. Demand Justice: Equal accountability under the law is non-negotiable. If conservative protesters face harsh penalties, so should those who commit or incite violence against us.

4. Call Out Media Bias: Every time the media downplays left-wing violence or amplifies conservative "threats," hold them accountable. Their narrative fuels this crisis.

5. Support Victims: Stand with families like Erica Kirk’s, who carry on despite unimaginable loss. Charlie’s bloodstained St. Michael pendant, now worn by Erica, symbolizes their resilience.

6. Prepare and Protect: The left’s willingness to target conservative leaders shows we must be ready to defend ourselves and our communities—legally and within our rights.

The Path Forward

Charlie Kirk died doing what he loved: defending conservative values and inspiring young Americans. His assassination is a tragic consequence of years of dehumanizing rhetoric from the left, amplified by a complicit media. We cannot let this deter us. The America we cherish is under attack, not by words alone but by a coordinated effort to silence us through fear and violence.

Let’s honor Charlie by doubling down on our commitment to truth, freedom, and justice. Document the facts, expose the bias, and never back down. The fight is far from over, and Charlie’s legacy demands we keep standing for what’s right.

Until next time, Patriots, stay strong and keep fighting.

John O'Connor, signing off.