UK Conservative Party Leader, Kemi Badenoch, has spoken against the online reactions following the killing of American conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
She described the way some social media users reacted to the news as disturbing and dangerous, saying it reflects a culture where violence against people with different views is being welcomed.
Badenoch explained that her social media feed was filled with people responding with excitement to the murder. She noted that some users even reshaped old videos of Kirk to create a false image of his views. According to her, the reactions went beyond disagreement and showed a worrying acceptance of force being used against people who hold different beliefs.
She further pointed to the role of certain influencers and journalists who joined in mocking the death. Badenoch linked this trend to a broader problem around free speech, where laws designed to protect people are now being used against individuals for their opinions. She insisted that freedom of speech must be protected as a core value in any democratic society.
Charlie Kirk, co-founder of the conservative group Turning Point USA, was shot and killed on September 10, 2025, while speaking at an outdoor rally at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. The event, called the “American Comeback Tour,” was attended by about 3,000 supporters.
The suspected gunman, 22-year-old Tyler James Robinson, was later arrested by US authorities. Although investigations are still ongoing, officials have not confirmed the motive behind the killing. Kirk’s death has since sparked worldwide debate on the dangers of political violence and the growing tensions around freedom of speech.