Bestselling novelist Jodi Picoult drew swift backlash after posting a TikTok video criticizing conservatives who expressed public grief over the fatal shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
In the video, Picoult, 59, called Kirk someone who "made a living out of preaching hate" and said that an "undeserved violent death does not negate the terrible pain that he inflicted on others." She added, "I'm not buying into the hypocrisy," accusing conservatives of selective concern about violence and pointing to past conservative support for hardline immigration policies. Picoult later set her TikTok account to private amid calls on social media to boycott her work.
Kirk, 31, the founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem on Wednesday, according to local authorities. Police arrested a 22-year-old Utah man identified by some reports as Tyler Robinson; he is due to appear in court. Officials have not released a public motive.
The video drew rapid amplification from conservative accounts and commenters on social media. Some accounts labeled Picoult "unhinged" and called for the removal of her books from sale. The controversy echoed a separate episode involving author Stephen King, who earlier issued an apology after making critical comments about Kirk that included an erroneous claim; King said he had read an unverified post on social media and would not repeat the error.
Picoult did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Media outlets reported that she moved her TikTok account to private following the reaction.
The shooting has renewed national debate about political rhetoric, public safety at activist events and how public figures are discussed on social media. Former President Barack Obama and other national figures condemned the killing in public statements calling such violence unacceptable in a democratic society. King, in his posts around the same time, described the shooting and compared it to other political assassinations in condemning the act of ambush killings.
Local authorities in Orem and university officials have urged the public to await official findings as investigations proceed. The university canceled some events in the immediate aftermath and pledged to cooperate with law enforcement. Officials have not confirmed a motive or any political connection between the suspect and the victim.
Picoult is the author of numerous bestsellers including My Sister's Keeper. Her comments join a string of high-profile responses from writers and public figures in the days following Kirk's death, illustrating how moments of national tragedy can quickly become focal points for broader cultural and political disputes. Media organizations and public figures have continued to both condemn the violence and call for accurate reporting as investigations continue.
This developing story involves ongoing legal proceedings and active investigations; authorities have asked the public to rely on official updates for verified information.