A senior Harvard Law professor faced swift criticism after reposting a claim that Charlie Kirk’s alleged killer was “ultra‑MAGA,” a characterization he later deleted and apologized for as investigators continued probing the motives behind the shooting.
Laurence Tribe, who holds Harvard’s title of University Professor, shared and then deleted an X post on Sunday that had asserted the accused gunman, identified by authorities as 22‑year‑old Tyler Robinson, was aligned with the MAGA movement. Tribe said afterward that his repost was premature and apologized, adding that nothing could justify the killing.
The shooting occurred Wednesday at Utah Valley University’s Orem campus during an appearance by Kirk, a conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA. Authorities say Kirk, 31, was shot from about 200 feet away while taking questions from students and later died. Robinson has been charged in the case; court processing and criminal counts were not detailed in the statements released by investigators.
Officials, including Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, have said evidence gathered so far does not support the initial narrative that the suspect was a right‑wing adherent. Cox told reporters that Robinson was "deeply indoctrinated with leftist ideology," disputed the MAGA characterization and said investigators are exploring the suspect’s relationship with a transgender partner as a potential motive. Cox described the killing as a political assassination and called it a "dark day" for the state.
Investigators reported that some of the bullet casings recovered were engraved with messages referencing internet memes and anti‑fascist themes. One engraving referenced the World War II Italian anti‑fascist song "Bella Ciao," while another reportedly read "Hey Fascists, Catch!" A separate casing was said to include a meme phrase, "Notices bulge OwO what's this?" Authorities have not established a publicly disclosed, conclusive motive.
Robinson’s father and a local minister reportedly turned the suspect in late Thursday after recognizing images released by police and confronting him. Family members told investigators that Robinson, who was enrolled in an electrical apprenticeship program, had become more political in recent years. Robinson is not listed with an active party affiliation; his parents are registered Republicans, according to local records cited by authorities.
Tribe’s deleted repost had amplified a message from the progressive outlet Occupy Democrats that asserted the suspect’s family were "hardcore MAGA." The Harvard professor said in his followup message that his initial reaction — reposting a tweet that placed the suspect to Kirk’s right — was premature. "My reaction saying [Robinson] was to Kirk’s right was premature, and I’m sorry I reposted a tweet to that effect before deleting my repost," Tribe wrote. He added that those labeling the suspect as trans, liberal, or a radical leftist were "exploiting a tragedy for political gain by making stuff up."
Tribe’s post drew sharp responses from conservative commentators and some legal scholars. Jonathan Turley, a law professor at George Washington University, criticized the spread of what he described as disinformation and linked it to broader concerns about censorship. Other critics called for disciplinary action at Harvard. Supporters of Tribe said he had corrected the record and explicitly condemned the killing.
The shooting prompted immediate national reactions. Former President Donald Trump, who was a friend of Kirk’s, blamed the "radical left" in a post on his platform and said political rhetoric had contributed to the violence. California Gov. Gavin Newsom condemned the attack and called for a rejection of political violence in all forms. Leaders across party lines urged sobriety and restraint as investigators pieced together motive and timeline.
Kirk is survived by his wife, Erika Frantzve, and their two young children. A public memorial was placed outside Turning Point USA headquarters as mourners and supporters reacted to the killing.
Law enforcement officials have stressed that investigations remain active and that public information may change as more evidence is processed. In the days after the shooting, authorities continued to gather forensic data, interview witnesses and review social media and digital materials to establish a clearer sequence of events and motive. Tribe’s university and the Daily Mail reached out for comment, and Tribe’s initial repost and subsequent apology remained among the most publicized illustrations of how quickly unverified claims can spread after high‑profile political violence.