Liz Peek, a Fox News contributor, argued in a recent opinion column that left-leaning political rhetoric and messages of economic despair have contributed to a wave of violence by young men, including the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
In the piece, Peek attributed a range of violent incidents to what she called a "doctrine of despair" promoted by some Democrats and progressive figures, and cited polling and reports she said show younger Americans are less optimistic about the "American Dream." She pointed to a declining belief among adults ages 18 to 29 that hard work leads to upward mobility and invoked specific recent attacks to illustrate her argument.
Peek cited a Pew Research Center finding she summarized as showing just 39% of 18- to 29-year-olds say they believe in the American Dream, and a Rasmussen survey she said found a majority of voters under 40 favor limits on individual earnings. She also referenced a report from the Committee to Unleash Prosperity that, she wrote, documents a rise in the share of young men not seeking employment since 1980.
The column quoted and referenced several prominent progressive politicians whose statements Peek said feed young people's frustration. She quoted Sen. Bernie Sanders as saying the American Dream has "turned into a nightmare," and cited Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticizing Republican economic policies. The article argued those messages, combined with economic anxieties, create fertile ground for violent acts by disaffected individuals.
Peek cited several recent incidents in making her case. She pointed to the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, for which authorities have charged 26-year-old Luigi Mangione; police allege Mangione had handwritten notes expressing hostility toward corporate America and the healthcare industry. Peek also referenced a midtown Manhattan office shooting that authorities say was carried out by a suspect who left a note mentioning chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and the attempted shooting of former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, by an alleged assailant identified in reporting as Thomas Matthew Crooks. She described Tyler Robinson as the accused killer of Kirk.
Lawmakers and public officials have publicly warned about the impact of violent rhetoric in the wake of politically motivated attacks. Media reports quoted some lawmakers as saying "violent words precede violent actions," and officials have noted investigations into the motives and backgrounds of suspects are ongoing. Law enforcement agencies continue to investigate each case and, in several instances, have cited a mixture of alleged grievances, personal histories and possible mental-health issues as part of their inquiries.
Peek also criticized what she described as a focus on redistribution rather than opportunity among some Democrats, singling out New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani for promising policies she said would "feed off economic anxieties." She argued that rhetoric blaming corporations and the wealthy for economic problems risks encouraging violence against identifiable targets.
The op-ed framed Charlie Kirk as an exemplar of optimistic, pro–free-market messaging, saying he encouraged young people to embrace patriotism, family and religious institutions as pathways to success. Peek described Kirk's message as a counter to what she characterized as the left's grievance-focused narratives.
Critics of linking political rhetoric directly to individual criminal acts caution against drawing causal lines before investigations conclude. Experts on political violence and radicalization commonly point to complex, multifactorial causes that can include mental health issues, online radicalization, socioeconomic stressors and personal grievances. Officials and researchers say each criminal case requires careful, evidence-based assessment to determine motive and responsibility.
The incidents cited in Peek's column come amid broader national debates over political discourse, youth economic prospects and the role of social media and online communities in shaping beliefs. Polling and academic research show shifting attitudes among younger Americans on economic fairness and inequality, while analysts note that pessimism about economic mobility has been rising in recent years.
As law enforcement continues to pursue charges in several of the cases referenced, public figures across the political spectrum have called for measured rhetoric and for authorities to address the underlying causes of violence. Investigations into the motives of accused attackers are ongoing, and prosecutors and police have said they will present evidence to courts as criminal cases proceed.