Online ‘revenge’ campaigns intensify after Charlie Kirk assassination

US Republicans are warning Americans following the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, stating, “Remember him with respect or face the consequences.”

Over the past few days, Democratic and Republican leaders have widely condemned the murder of Kirk, a prominent figure in the Trump world.

According to a Reuters calculation based on interviews, public statements, and local press reports, at least 15 people who discussed the murder online have been fired or suspended from their jobs. This number includes journalists, academics, and teachers.

On Friday, a Nasdaq employee was dismissed due to posts related to Kirk.

Others have been subjected to a barrage of online harassment, or their offices have been inundated with calls demanding their termination as right-wing anger has grown in the wake of the assassination.

Some Republicans want to go even further, suggesting that Kirk’s critics should be deported from the US, face lawsuits that would drive them into poverty, or be permanently banned from social media.

“If you are sick enough to celebrate his death, be prepared for all your professional future dreams to be ruined,” said Laura Loomer, a well-known Trump supporter and commentator.

Congressman Clay Higgins said in a post on X that anyone who “expresses their smug hatred by celebrating the disgusting murder of that beautiful young man” should be “PERMANENTLY BANNED FROM ALL PLATFORMS.”

US Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Landau also stated he was “disgusted to see some on social media praising, trying to justify, or making light of this event” and that he had “instructed our consular officers to take appropriate measures.”

The outrage from Republicans toward those disrespecting Kirk’s legacy contrasts with the mocking attitudes that some, including Kirk himself, have previously shown toward victims of political violence.

For example, when Paul Pelosi, the husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, was attacked with a hammer by an intruder in their San Francisco home shortly before the 2022 midterm elections, Higgins shared a photo mocking the assault, which he later deleted.

Loomer had also suggested that Paul Pelosi and his attacker were lovers, describing the assault on the man as a “sex date gone wrong.”

Meanwhile, calls to fire Kirk’s critics are intensifying on X. A newly registered site called “Expose Charlie’s Murderers” lists the names of 41 individuals alleged to have “supported political violence online,” and claims to be processing over 20,000 submissions.

According to a Reuters review of screenshots and comments sent to the site, some of the individuals listed had joked about or celebrated Kirk’s death.

One person wrote, “He got what he deserved,” while others made various comments like, “Karma is brutal.” However, some explicitly condemned the violence while criticizing the right-wing figure.

Others appear to have done little more than point out that a long-time opponent of gun control was shot and killed. At least three people cited Kirk’s 2023 comments in which he said some gun deaths were “worth it” and that the annual number of gun homicides in the US was a “reasonable deal” in exchange for the Second Amendment.

One person listed on the site stated that their employer was bombarded with phone calls, with callers saying they would not give up until the person was fired or disciplined. This individual said they do not plan to go to the office in the coming days.

“To be very clear, I do not condone the murder of Charlie Kirk,” the person told Reuters by phone, on the condition of anonymity to avoid further harassment.

However, the same person noted that they “also have to appreciate the irony of the situation,” referring to Kirk being shot in the neck with a rifle after years of vocal opposition to gun control.

Reuters could not determine who runs the website. The site did not respond to questions about its ownership, methodology, or why accurately quoting Kirk’s words might be considered “supporting political violence.” Squarespace, where the site’s domain is registered, did not respond to messages seeking comment.