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** OPINION
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** Reactions to the shooting death of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk
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Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk, shown here in July of 2024. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

In a horrific act caught on video, Charlie Kirk — right-wing influencer, daily talk show host, ally of President Donald Trump and the leader of Turning Point USA, the nation’s powerful right-wing youth activist organization — was shot and killed Wednesday during an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Shortly after the shooting, Kirk was pronounced dead. He was 31.

Sitting on a stage covered by a tent, Kirk was about 20 minutes into his event on Wednesday afternoon when he appeared to be shot at least once, in the neck. Cellphone videos from those at the outdoor event captured the moment it happened, including one that was very graphic. After the popping sound of gunfire, Kirk’s body went limp and spectators began screaming and running.

Initially, there were reports that a suspect was taken into custody, but those reports turned out to be false. On Wednesday evening, authorities said a person of interest was in custody and being interviewed, but reports are that person was released.

Fox News contributor Jason Chaffetz, a former U.S. representative from Utah, was at the event and immediately called into Fox News after the shooting.

According to Mediate’s Zachary Leeman ([link removed]) , an emotional Chaffetz told Fox News, “He took his first question, which was a religious question. And then he got to the second question, which was about 30 minutes into his presentation, 2:30 local time, and the question was about transgender shooters, mass killings versus people that weren’t transgender. And when that happened, when that question came out, you know, going to have the interaction, one-shot. I was watching Charlie. I can’t say that I saw blood. I can’t say that I saw him get hit, but I did see him fall immediately backwards into his left. And I can just hope and pray that somehow he survives that.”

Kirk has been a divisive and controversial figure in American politics, yet political leaders from all sides of the political spectrum immediately and strongly condemned what had happened, even before Kirk’s death was announced.

In the moments immediately after the shooting, Trump posted on Truth Social, “We must all pray for Charlie Kirk, who has been shot. A great guy from top to bottom. GOD BLESS HIM!”

Trump later posted ([link removed]) , “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”

As The New York Times noted, “Even though he is not part of the administration, Mr. Kirk’s influence in the White House is significant. Since the November election, he has helped vet prospective appointees, testing their loyalty to Mr. Trump.”

Politico’s Aaron Pellish wrote ([link removed]) , “Kirk has become one of the most influential pro-Trump activists since Trump first ascended to office. Turning Point USA has garnered millions of followers since the group was founded in 2012 and played a key role in mobilizing young voters for Trump in his previous presidential campaigns.”

Vice President JD Vance tweeted ([link removed]) , “Say a prayer for Charlie Kirk, a genuinely good guy and a young father.” Vance then posted ([link removed]) an older photo with him and Kirk in it, writing, “Dear God, protect Charlie in his darkest hour.”

Meanwhile, California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom tweeted ([link removed]) , “The attack on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, vile, and reprehensible. In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form.”

Gabrielle Giffords, the former Democratic congresswoman from Arizona who nearly died from an assassination attempt in 2011, said on social media ([link removed]) , “I'm horrified to hear that Charlie Kirk was shot at an event in Utah. Democratic societies will always have political disagreements, but we must never allow America to become a country that confronts those disagreements with violence.”

Mediaite’s Leeman wrote, “Democrats Rally Behind MAGA Star Charlie Kirk After Shooting: ‘Political Violence Is NEVER Acceptable!’” ([link removed]) It included messages from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, former Biden administration cabinet member Pete Buttigieg, Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic candidate for mayor of New York City. All fiercely condemned the shooting.

Former President Joe Biden wrote ([link removed]) , “There is no place in our country for this kind of violence. It must end now.”

Former Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris tweeted ([link removed]) , “I am deeply disturbed by the shooting in Utah. Doug and I send our prayers to Charlie Kirk and his family. Let me be clear: Political violence has no place in America. I condemn this act, and we all must work together to ensure this does not lead to more violence.”

And former President Barack Obama wrote ([link removed]) , “We don’t yet know what motivated the person who shot and killed Charlie Kirk, but this kind of despicable violence has no place in our democracy. Michelle and I will be praying for Charlie’s family tonight, especially his wife Erika and their two young children.”

Former President George W. Bush said, “Members of other political parties are not our enemies; they are our fellow citizens.” And former President Bill Clinton wrote he was saddened and angered by the killing, adding he hoped “we all go through some serious introspection.”

On and on it went with similar postings throughout the afternoon and evening. It was the lead story on all the evening newscasts, and the dominant story on the cable news networks throughout the night. CBS News broke into programming twice, first with the breaking news that Kirk had been shot, and then later when Kirk’s death was announced. “CBS Evening News” co-anchor Maurice DuBois delivered the news.

The New York Times’ Jessica Testa and Michael M. Grynbaum wrote, “Conservative media figures are grieving Kirk’s death on the air.” ([link removed])

They wrote how Fox News’ Will Cain choked up on air, while saying, “I don’t know where we go from here as a news program and I don’t know where we go from here in America.”

Testa and Grynbaum wrote, “Megyn Kelly, streaming live on YouTube, was tearful even before the news was confirmed, sobbing with her guest, Glenn Beck of The Blaze.”

Kelly would add, “We have lost one of the most important voices that we've had in my lifetime on the right.”

The Times also wrote, “On ‘The Five,’ Dana Perino, the Fox host and former White House press secretary, struggled to speak at times as she discussed Mr. Kirk’s death. Jesse Watters, her co-host, sounded angry, telling viewers, ‘We’re going to avenge Charlie’s death.’ Jeanine Pirro, a former host on the show who is now the U.S. attorney for Washington, called in to ‘The Five’ to say that she was ‘heartbroken.’”

Watters' remarks were rather ominous. He said, among other things ([link removed]) , “This hits differently because Charlie was one of us. … They are at war with us. Whether we want to accept it or not, they are at war with us. What are we going to do about it?”

Far-right political activist Laura Loomer wrote ([link removed]) that the “left are terrorists” and that “you could be next.”

Along with dark comments by Watters and Loomer, many, not surprisingly, took to social media to make political statements on everything from gun control to the differences between conservatives and liberals. Many pointed to comments ([link removed]) Kirk made just this past April at a Turning Point USA event.

Kirk said at that event, “You will never live in a society when you have an armed citizenry and you won't have a single gun death. That is nonsense. It's drivel. But … I think it's worth it. I think it's worth (it) to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the Second Amendment to protect our other God-given rights. That is a prudent deal. It is rational. Nobody talks like this. They live in a complete alternate universe.”

That quote became a centerpiece of much of the heated debate Wednesday on social media.

Meanwhile, the Utah GOP also went political, putting out a statement that said ([link removed]) , “The attack on Charlie Kirk and free speech is evil, pure and simple. The hate, violence and evil being peddled by radical extremists has no place in this country! Schools and social media have become breeding grounds for liberal hate. Enough!”

And Utah Republican Gov. Spencer Cox described Kirk's killing as "a political assassination."

Most of the reactions from responsible people were a mix of anger, sympathy, condemnation and anguish that, once again, political divisiveness led to violence.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson said, “I’m just going to state the obvious here. This is detestable, what happened. Political violence has become all too common in American society, and this is not who we are. It violates the core principles of our country, our Judeo-Christian heritage, our civil society, our American way of life. And it must stop. We need every political figure. We need everyone who has a platform to say this loudly and clearly. We can settle disagreements and disputes in a civil manner, and political violence must be called out and has to stop. Again, we ask for prayer.”

A MESSAGE FROM POYNTER
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** MSNBC’s apology
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During the coverage of the Kirk story, MSNBC analyst Matthew Dowd said on air, “(Kirk has) been one of the most divisive, especially divisive younger figures, in this, who is constantly sort of pushing this sort of hate speech, or sort of aimed at certain groups. And I always go back to hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions, and I think that’s the environment that we’re in.”

That led to this public response from MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler: “During our breaking news coverage of the shooting of Charlie Kirk, Matthew Dowd made comments that were inappropriate, insensitive and unacceptable. We apologize for his statements, as has he. There is no place for violence in America, political or otherwise."

Dowd said in his apology: “My thoughts & prayers are w/ the family and friends of Charlie Kirk. On an earlier appearance on MSNBC I was asked a question on the environment we are in. I apologize for my tone and words. Let me be clear, I in no way intended for my comments to blame Kirk for this horrendous attack. Let us all come together and condemn violence of any kind.”

Then late Wednesday night, a network source confirmed that Dowd is no longer with the network.


** More notable coverage of the Kirk shooting
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* PolitiFact’s Katie Sanders and Grace Abels with “Charlie Kirk is dead after being shot at a Utah college event. What we know.” ([link removed])
* In his piece for Politico ([link removed]) , Kyle Cheney writes, “It’s become a macabre American ritual: a violent attack against a political figure, followed by condemnations, calls for introspection and a vow to prevent it from happening again. And then it does.”
* The Atlantic’s David A. Graham with “The Horrifying Assassination of Charlie Kirk.” ([link removed])
* From an editorial in The Wall Street Journal ([link removed]) : “Political figures from both parties denounced the attack on Kirk Wednesday, as they should. But for Mr. Trump, while this is a moment of personal sadness, it is also an opportunity for leadership. As the President, as a survivor of a near-assassination himself, and especially as Kirk’s political ally and friend—he can help the country rise above this madness. He can say that this is the moment when the descent into political violence must stop, not least in honor of Charlie Kirk’s willingness to win by debate, not a resort to thuggery or violence.”
* It should be mentioned that Utah’s two major newspapers — The Salt Lake Tribune and the Deseret News — provided excellent coverage of the day. They were up to date on the breaking news, and provided plenty of eyewitness accounts.
* Video from The Associated Press: “AP reporter describes scene after Charlie Kirk was shot.” ([link removed])
* The New York Times editorial board with “America Mourns Charlie Kirk.” ([link removed]) The board wrote, “Such violence is antithetical to America. The First Amendment — the first for a reason — enshrines our rights to freedom of speech and expression. Our country is based on the principle that we must disagree peacefully. Our political disagreements may be intense and emotional, but they should never be violent. This balance requires restraint. Americans have to accept that their side will lose sometimes and that they may feel angry about their defeats. We cannot act on that anger with violence.”
* CNN media reporter Brian Stelter wrote ([link removed]) about Kirk’s media influence: “Kirk pioneered a new model for conservative political advocacy, merging multi-platform media commentary with in-person gatherings and get-out-the-vote drives. He was a hugely successful political field organizer, TikTok influencer, radio host, nonprofit leader and public speaker all rolled up in one telegenic figure. One minute, Kirk would be on Fox News promoting his friend President Trump’s agenda; the next, he would be on X or Instagram, inviting young people to start conservative groups at their high schools and college campuses. The operation he built was the envy of many Democratic rivals.”
* “NBC Nightly News” anchor Tom Llamas with this commentary: “Tom Llamas reflects on political violence in U.S.” ([link removed])

And now onto the rest of today’s newsletter …


** Fox News ends ‘MediaBuzz’
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Fox News’ Howard Kurtz, right, interviewing then-White House counselor Kellyanne Conway on “MediaBuzz” in 2017. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Fox News is shaking up its weekend lineup, and that includes canceling “MediaBuzz,” the last cable news show dedicated to media coverage, hosted by veteran media journalist Howard Kurtz.

Kurtz, who has been with Fox News since 2013, will remain at the network as a political analyst. But “MediaBuzz” is going away. For years, CNN’s “Reliable Sources” and “MediaBuzz” were the two cable news shows specifically dedicated to media coverage. “Reliable Sources,” which years ago was hosted by Kurtz, was cancelled in August 2022.

Now “MediaBuzz” is being cancelled, too.

I must admit that, despite my job, I was not an avid viewer of “MediaBuzz.” I mostly stopped watching because I rarely found the media discussions to be worth quoting or sharing with my newsletter readers. I often would quote “Reliable Sources,” which seemed to have more of a focus on actual media, whereas “MediaBuzz” often felt more like a political show. At least that was my experience the last few times I watched.

As a Poynter colleague told me, “‘MediaBuzz’ was like ‘Reliable Sources’ if ‘Reliable Sources’ was mostly toothless and on Fox News.”

Fox News might as well cancel “MediaBuzz.” After all, why have a show that covers the media when many of your on-air personalities spend so much time being critical and insulting the media?

Kurtz has been covering the media since 1990, including stints at The Washington Post and The Daily Beast, as well as CNN and Fox News. He said in a statement, “I’m extraordinarily proud of the program, which was number one for over 12 years and built a loyal audience that liked our down-the-middle approach of contrasting viewpoints and tackling sensitive subjects, with great independence, but time marches on.”

While I found the show to be a bit too partisan, The Washington Post’s Jeremy Barr tweeted ([link removed]) that Kurtz has “shown a lot of principle over the years.”

Barr pointed to 2023 when Kurtz said on the air ([link removed]) the network told him not to cover the $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit filed against Fox by Dominion Voting Systems. Kurtz said to his viewers, "Some of you have been asking why I’m not covering the Dominion voting machines lawsuit against Fox involving the unproven claims of election fraud in 2020, and it’s absolutely a fair question. I believe I should be covering it. It’s a major media story, given my role here at Fox. But the company has decided that as part of the organization being sued, I can’t talk about it or write about it, at least for now. I strongly disagree with that decision, but as an employee, I have to abide by it. And if that changes, I’ll let you know.”

“MediaBuzz,” which airs at 11 a.m. Eastern on Sundays, will be replaced by “The Sunday Briefing,” a political news show alternating between Washington correspondents Jacqui Heinrich and Peter Doocy as host. The final “MediaBuzz” will air this Sunday.

Fox News also announced a few other weekend changes, most notably that “Outnumbered” co-host Kayleigh McEnany will begin hosting her own program, “Saturday in America,” from 10 a.m. to noon Eastern on Saturdays. McEnany is the former press secretary for Trump.


** A big deal
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As Skydance was closing in on its deal to buy Paramount, which includes CBS and CBS News, word broke that the new owners were interested in bringing in Bari Weiss, the former New York Times columnist, and the media company she co-founded called The Free Press.

Not only might she be joining CBS News, but Weiss will likely have a major hand in CBS News’ coverage. The New York Times’ Lauren Hirsch and Benjamin Mullin report ([link removed]) that the new owner is considering making Weiss the job of editor-in-chief or co-president of the network.

No deal is done, but Hirsch and Mullin write, “even the consideration of Ms. Weiss for such a prominent role at CBS News is the strongest sign yet that the network’s new owner, David Ellison, intends to make major changes at the news organization.”

What’s interesting is that Weiss left the Times in 2021 to start The Free Press as an alternative to traditional news organizations. And how she might be joining a network news division, which is about as traditional as news gets. Any deal with Weiss would also include The Free Press.

Check out the Times story for much more information.


** A tale of two responses
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Before the tragic news of the Kirk murder, the world was on edge over the sobering developments that NATO fighter jets shot down Russian drones that violated Poland’s airspace while attacking targets in Ukraine. Poland then invoked NATO’s Article 4, which allows a member of NATO to start a formal discussion among the members about threats to its security. As The New York Times’ Jenny Gross explained ([link removed]) , “While invoking Article 4 does not commit NATO to any military action, it is a required step toward a NATO decision to invoke Article 5. (An invocation of Article 5 is often assumed to have military implications, but the NATO treaty says only that its members will ‘assist’ the party that has been attacked. This can also mean economic or political action.)”

The initial official reactions of two NATO leaders could not have been more different.

Here was the first official statement ([link removed]) from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney: “Russia’s incursion into Polish airspace last night was reckless and escalatory. Canada stands with Poland and our NATO Allies. We are closely coordinating with them, and we will remain vigilant against Russia’s attempts to widen and prolong the conflict with Ukraine. Putin is demonstrating once again his total disregard for the path of peace. Russia’s actions – following a week of brutal attacks on Ukrainian civilians – underscore the importance of our steadfast support for Ukraine. To bring lasting peace to Ukraine and Europe, we must increase the pressure on Putin to end this war.”

And here was the first official statement ([link removed]) from President Donald Trump: “What’s with Russia violating Poland’s airspace with drones? Here we go!”


** Media tidbits
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* The Guardian’s Jessica Elgot, Harry Davies, Henry Dyer and Rowena Mason with “Leak exposes Washington Post boss Will Lewis’s role as secret adviser to Boris Johnson while PM.” ([link removed])
* The New York Times’ Michael M. Grynbaum with “Trump Threatens to Sue The Times Over Reporting on Epstein Drawing.” ([link removed])
* Nieman Lab’s Hanaa’ Tameez with “From reckoning to retreat: Journalism’s DEI efforts are in decline.” ([link removed])
* The Guardian media editor Michael Savage with “Lachlan finally has control of Murdoch empire but deal is a win for sibling rivals.” ([link removed])
* In this minute clip ([link removed]) , The Ringer’s Bill Simmons and Bryan Curtis discuss ESPN extending the show “Pardon the Interruption” for at least three more years. Simmons, a former ESPNer, said Tony Kornheiser, a co-host on that show, is the best person he has ever done TV with.


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Have feedback or a tip? Email Poynter senior media writer Tom Jones at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

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