Subsequently, they are outraged by people who make critical or even derogatory comments about Kirk and his work. A veritable campaign is underway online.

Right-wing politicians and opinion makers, including members of the government and the ultra-right conspiracy influencer Laura Loomer, are calling on their fellow citizens to publicly denounce critical online posts about Kirk and to push for the dismissal of the authors. This campaign has affected teachers, firefighters, and even members of the US military, among others. Several people have already lost their jobs. Kirk supporters are systematically scouring the internet for negative comments about the murdered activist – and offering advice to like-minded people.

"If they have their photo on their profile, even if there's no name, download the photo," advises right-wing influencer Joey Mannarino. The photo can then be compared with LinkedIn, the online network for maintaining professional contacts, and the person's workplace can be identified and smeared there."Call the employer, leave Google reviews," Mannarino instructs his followers.

Deadly attack on university campus

The 31-year-old Kirk, who co-founded the influential right-wing conservative organization Turning Point USA as a teenager, was shot dead on Wednesday during an appearance on the campus of Utah Valley University. On Friday, authorities announced the arrest of the suspected attacker, Tyler R.

Because two cartridge cases containing anti-fascist slogans were discovered near the crime scene, many right-wingers in the US are blaming the murderer for being a left-wing extremist. Even before the suspected shooter was caught, US President Donald Trump had blamed the"radical left" for the attack.

Violent death exacerbates political division

The act of violence was immediately condemned not only by Republicans but also by leading Democrats. However, the violent death of Kirk, who, with his millions of followers, contributed to Trump's election victory last year, exacerbates the country's political divide.

Laura Sosh-Lightsy, vice dean of Middle Tennessee State University, wrote on Facebook about Kirk's death:"Hate breeds hate. Zero compassion." Republican U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn, a Tennessee native, immediately denounced this:"This person should be ashamed of their post. They should be removed from office," she wrote of Sosh-Lightsy. That same evening, the university announced that it was firing a staff member for a"heartless" comment about Kirk's murder.

A teacher in the US state of Oklahoma also faced consequences for his critical comment about Kirk. After the attack, he wrote online:"Charlie Kirk died the way he lived: bringing out the worst in people." The Oklahoma Department of Education stated that an investigation had been launched against the teacher because of this "despicable" statement.

"These people hate us"

But right-wing activists aren't only willing to tolerate negative comments about Kirk himself, but also criticism of the way his death was handled. Influencer Loomer, for example, pointed her many followers to statements by an employee of the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). He had criticized Trump for ordering flags flown at half-mast for the"racist, homophobic, misogynistic" activist Kirk.

Loomer wrote:"These people hate us. They don't belong at the helm of national power." FEMA subsequently announced that the employee had been suspended for his "disgusting and outrageous" comments.

Calls also from government members

In addition to right-wing activists and influencers, members of the Trump administration are also calling for a joint crackdown on what they consider inappropriate comments about Kirk. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, for example, instructed members of the military to report such statements by colleagues.

US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau is specifically targeting foreign nationals living in the US who"glorify violence and hatred" in connection with Kirk's death."I am disgusted that some on social media are praising, justifying, or downplaying the incident and have instructed our consular staff to take appropriate action," Landau wrote on the online service X."Please bring such comments to my attention so the State Department can protect the American people."