TikTok influencer Rhegan Coursey drew a wave of online criticism after reposting a condolence for conservative activist Charlie Kirk following his death.
Kirk, 31, was shot and killed last Wednesday at Utah Valley University. Authorities say 22-year-old Tyler Robinson surrendered to police and is in custody in Utah in connection with the alleged shooting. Coursey, 23, who has millions of followers on TikTok, shared a post originally written by actor Russell Brand that read, “Lord, be with Charlie Kirk and his family,” and added her own message condemning those making jokes about the killing.
“Regardless of your beliefs this is NOT okay!!!!” Coursey wrote. “Two kids just lost their father, a woman just lost her husband… and people are making sick jokes. RIP. Prayers to his family and friends for their loss and prayers for this country's loss of morality.” Screenshots of the post were shared on Reddit and other social platforms, where some users promptly criticized Coursey’s response as “performative” or sought to undermine her motives.
Several commenters called on others to unfollow Coursey and questioned whether influencers were speaking sincerely. “She’s so annoying and performative,” one user wrote. Another wrote, “Some people are so brain dead they don't even know what they're reposting.” Other critics compared the reaction to Kirk’s death with public responses to other shootings, arguing that broader patterns of gun violence receive less attention.
Coursey, a Dallas native who has lived in Los Angeles, began posting on TikTok in 2019 and is known for fashion, lifestyle and lip-sync videos. The backlash mirrors responses to other influencers who publicly reacted to Kirk’s killing. Model and influencer Josie Canseco also posted tributes to Kirk and drew criticism after calling him “one of the smartest humans” and urging people not to celebrate a violent death regardless of political views.
Brand’s original post was noted in some replies. Brand has previously denied charges after being accused by four women of alleged offenses spanning 1999 to 2005. The inclusion of his message in Coursey’s post drew additional scrutiny from some users who questioned the source she chose to amplify.
The exchange reflects a broader debate on social media about how public figures and influencers should respond to politically charged violence. Some users expressed outrage at any celebratory commentary following a death; others argued that outrage and sympathy are unevenly applied, pointing to mass shootings and daily gun violence that often receive less sustained public attention.
Kirk was a controversial conservative media figure and a father of two. Police and university officials have provided limited public details as the investigation continues. Authorities in Utah have said the accused shooter surrendered and that the case remains under investigation; no charges beyond the initial custody report have been publicly announced.
Coursey’s post and the ensuing reaction underscore how quickly statements by creators with large followings can become focal points for broader cultural and political debates. Tributes, condemnations and the choice of sources shared by influencers are now routinely scrutinized and amplified across platforms, turning individual posts into flashpoints that can prompt swift public response.
As social media platforms continue to be central forums for public mourning and political disagreement, incidents like the response to Coursey’s post illustrate the tensions between personal expression, public expectations of influencers and the polarized environment surrounding high-profile deaths.