Vice President JD Vance attributed the shooting of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk to left-wing political radicalization, telling Fox News' Jesse Watters Primetime that the motive is not a 'both sides' issue. "My friend is dead because of left-wing political radicalization," Vance said. "And if you want to cut that sh-- out, then be honest about it, and look yourself in the mirror."
Citing court documents, the mother of Tyler Robinson said he had become more political, leaning left and supporting pro-gay and transgender rights. On Tuesday, Utah County District Attorney Jeff Gray read aloud Robinson’s alleged explanation in text messages to his transgender roommate: "I had enough of [Kirk’s] hatred," Robinson said on Sept. 10. "Some hate can’t be negotiated out."
Robinson has been charged with aggravated murder and six other felonies by Utah prosecutors, who intend to seek the death penalty.
Vance's stance resurfaced as the national conversation about Kirk's death unfolded. "You look at every ounce of evidence that we have, and it is clear," he said. "This is a person who grew up in a pretty normal family, actually had a pretty good home life, who was radicalized by the far left, by the social networks of the far left, by the ideas of the far left, and got so far down the path of radicalization that he killed my friend."
The vice president also addressed whether firings or expulsions for praising Kirk's death are constitutional. "The First Amendment protects a lot of very ugly speech," Vance explained. "But if you celebrate Charlie Kirk's death, you should not be protected from being fired for being a disgusting person." When Watters pressed him on how to understand celebrations, Vance asked whether those who celebrate should consider what kind of person feels joy at the death of a grieving mother and grieving children, and urged them to reconsider their path.
On Monday, the vice president hosted an episode of "The Charlie Kirk Show" in honor of his late friend, saying he would not be in office without Kirk. "Obviously, the president makes the final determination, but it takes a team effort, and Charlie was part of that team," Vance said.
Vance also served as a pallbearer for Kirk when he carried Kirk’s casket onto Air Force Two in Utah. The plane transported Kirk’s remains to Arizona, where his family followed on Sept. 12.
Turning Point USA will hold a memorial for its founder in Arizona on Sunday at State Farm Stadium, home of the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals. The events come as the investigation and political responses to Kirk’s death continue to unfold, with prosecutors outlining the charges against Robinson and public figures weighing in on the motives and the limits of speech in the wake of a high-profile assassination.