Former ESPN host Sam Ponder said she received a wave of abusive messages after posting a tribute to Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist who was shot and killed while speaking at Utah Valley University last week.
Ponder, who worked at ESPN for more than a decade and formerly hosted Sunday NFL Countdown, wrote on X that her direct messages were "more disturbing than ever (and trust me, that's sayin something)." She criticized people who sought to deny others the right to publicly mourn someone whose political views they oppose, writing, "When a man is shot, debating opinions with anyone for all to see, he must align with our chosen dogma perfectly."
Kirk, 31, a conservative activist and ally of former President Donald Trump, was shot during a public question-and-answer event at the university in Orem. He was struck by a single bullet while speaking to a crowd, collapsed and was taken to a hospital, where he died. Kirk was a married father of two.
The shooting set off a nationwide reaction, including debate over public expressions of mourning and how institutions respond to politically charged violence. Several NFL franchises — the Detroit Lions, Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts and Minnesota Vikings — did not hold moments of silence before their Week 2 games, drawing criticism from some commentators and fans. Other home teams paused play to hold moments of silence.
Ponder, who was dismissed by ESPN in August 2024 amid cost-cutting measures two years into a three-year, $3 million contract, has remained a vocal figure on social media. Her exit from the network followed public controversy over comments she made about boxer Imane Khelif, who won a women's boxing gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics amid questions about her sex assigned at birth.
Fellow former ESPN personality Sage Steele also drew online backlash after criticizing NFL teams that did not mark Kirk's death. Steele, who left ESPN in 2023 in part to speak more freely after comments that led to a suspension, wrote on X: "Disappointing. Especially considering how vocal these 4 teams were after George Floyd’s death. What a missed opportunity to condemn violence (as they did in 2020 & beyond) and preach diversity of thought and peace. Sad." She later said she too received vile messages in response.
Authorities in Utah announced the arrest of 22-year-old Tyler Robinson in the days after the shooting. Robinson was taken into custody and later appeared via Zoom for an initial court hearing in which prosecutors said they would charge him with capital murder. Court records and media reports described him as appearing disheveled and expressionless, and local authorities said he was wearing what appeared to be a suicide vest during the hearing. He confirmed only basic personal information during the appearance and has been held without bail, officials said.
Prosecutors filed capital murder charges against Robinson on Tuesday afternoon. Investigators have said Robinson held a "leftist ideology" and that he may have been radicalized online, according to law enforcement statements. It remained unclear whether Robinson had retained an attorney.
The shooting has prompted renewed discussion about political polarization, online radicalization and the safety of public events. Law enforcement agencies continue to investigate the circumstances of the attack, and local prosecutors have indicated they will pursue the case through the courts.
Ponder's post and the backlash she described highlight how public reaction to the killing has been sharply divided, with some people condemning the violence and others focusing on Kirk's political stances. Ponder wrote that sympathy should not be conditioned on a person's statements or beliefs, urging people to "mourn with those who mourn" and to look for hypocrisy in themselves.
As authorities proceed with criminal charges, media outlets, political figures and former colleagues continue to debate the broader implications of the violence for public discourse, campus safety and the role of social media in amplifying polarizing views.