At a Turning Point USA (TPUSA) event in Virginia, political commentator Megyn Kelly engaged in a heated exchange with a young liberal activist over claims that President Donald Trump’s rhetoric contributed to the murder of TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk. During the campus tour event at Virginia Tech, Kelly was co-headlining with Governor Glenn Youngkin, who has been a vocal critic of left-wing activism. The activist, referencing recent FBI investigations into potential ties between leftist groups and the murder, argued that Trump’s inflammatory statements had created an environment of political tension leading to the attack.
Kelly swiftly dismissed the claim, asserting that the assailant was motivated by leftist ideology, citing evidence such as bullet casings and the killer’s own mother’s statements. She argued that the activist was misrepresenting the situation and that the facts were not in evidence to support the claim that Trump’s rhetoric was responsible. The activist responded by stating that the DOJ had released data indicating that 70% of political violence was attributed to Republicans, prompting Kelly to acknowledge the data but refute the notion that it was linked to Trump’s rhetoric.
Throughout the discussion, Kelly emphasized that the alleged assassin had developed a radical leftist ideology in recent years, as noted by Utah Governor Spencer Cox, who had previously stated the suspected killer had become increasingly radicalized. The activist later questioned whether it was acceptable for Trump to ‘incite violence against liberals,’ to which Kelly responded by highlighting Trump’s humor at the Charlie Kirk memorial, framing it as a self-deprecating joke rather than a call to violence. She concluded by noting Trump’s right to despise his political opponents, citing his history of facing legal and political challenges.