Jimmy Kimmel said on his late‑night show that critics on the right were trying to distance themselves from the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk, calling the alleged shooter part of the “MAGA gang.” His comments came as federal and state investigators said the suspect, identified as 22‑year‑old Utah resident Tyler Robinson, had become radicalized toward left‑wing views in the years before the attack.
Kimmel, host of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, addressed the killing during his Monday night monologue and mocked President Donald Trump’s response to Kirk’s death. “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it,” Kimmel said on air. He also criticized the White House for lowering flags and for what Kimmel described as a tone‑deaf reply from the president when asked about the shooting.
Federal and Utah state officials have described a different ideological profile for the suspect. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and law enforcement officials said investigators have uncovered indicators that Robinson embraced leftist ideology and had been increasingly radicalized. Authorities also disclosed text messages they say were sent by Robinson in which he expressed violent intent; at a news conference Tuesday, investigators said those messages included references to obtaining and using a rifle.
Federal authorities have told reporters they are treating the case as an ideologically motivated attack and are examining whether Robinson had ties to any organized groups. A source familiar with the investigation told Fox News Digital that investigators were looking into left‑wing groups in Utah for possible connections; that reporting was cited by other outlets but has not been confirmed by investigators at a national level.
Kimmel’s televised remarks echoed a social‑media post he issued after Kirk’s death in which he wrote that instead of finger‑pointing “can we just for one day agree that it is horrible and monstrous to shoot another human?” He also criticized Trump for blaming left‑wing rhetoric for the killing and contrasted that response with presidents he said had sought to unify the nation in moments of tragedy.
The shooting occurred last week at an event hosted by Turning Point USA at Utah Valley University, where Kirk, a conservative commentator and activist, was speaking. Kirk was fatally shot; authorities arrested and charged the suspect in connection with the attack. In the Tuesday briefing, investigators said they had recovered messages between the suspect and his roommate, who is a transgender woman, and that those communications are part of their ongoing inquiry into motive and planning.
Kimmel’s remarks prompted pushback from some conservative commentators who said it was inappropriate to link the alleged shooter to their political movement while the investigation continues. Supporters of Kimmel said his commentary was aimed at the broader pattern of political rhetoric. News organizations have reported differing accounts and attributions around the suspect’s ideological leanings, reflecting the fluid nature of the investigation and the variety of sources cited by media outlets.
Law enforcement officials in Utah and federal investigators have urged the public to let the investigators complete their work, saying they will release more findings as evidence is collected and analyzed. The investigation includes review of digital communications, social‑media activity and interviews with associates and witnesses in an effort to establish motive and any outside influences.
Kirk’s death has intensified debates in Washington and on the campaign trail over political rhetoric, public safety at events and the responsibility of public figures when discussing opponents. President Trump and other political leaders have responded in various ways; Trump has publicly blamed left‑wing rhetoric for the shooting, a characterization disputed by investigators who say the suspect espoused far‑left beliefs.
As authorities continue to investigate, family members, friends and supporters of Kirk have called for accountability and for an end to political violence. Representatives for Kimmel did not respond to requests for comment on the broader criticism of his on‑air remarks. Fox News Digital and other outlets cited by some statements in this story published their reports during the ongoing investigation.