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Celebrities Face Backlash Over Controversial Comments on Charlie Kirk’s Assassination

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After Charlie Kirk’s shocking assassination, several celebrities are under fire for controversial comments. From Amanda Seyfried to Stephen King, here’s what they said.

The assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk on September 10 has sparked grief across the nation — but also controversy. While many celebrities and public figures offered condolences, others made remarks that critics say were insensitive or inappropriate in the wake of his death.

Kirk, 31, was fatally shot in the neck while speaking at Utah Valley University. He later died from his injuries, and a suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, has since been arrested and charged with aggravated murder and obstruction of justice.

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As tributes poured in, the spotlight quickly turned to several celebrities whose comments on Kirk’s passing drew strong backlash.

Charlie Kirk was assassinated on Wednesday (September 10) (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Charlie Kirk was assassinated on Wednesday (September 10) (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Amanda Seyfried

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The Mean Girls star posted a cryptic quote online:
“You can’t invite violence to the dinner table and be shocked when it starts eating.”
She was also reported to have referred to Kirk as “hateful” in another comment, leading to heated reactions from fans.

Amanda Seales

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Actress Amanda Seales shared a video where she criticized Kirk’s past views on empathy and gun rights.
“I can’t have empathy because I have no connectivity,” she said, adding she felt more sympathy for strangers battling addiction than for Kirk.

Amanda Seyfried shared the post online (Instagram/@mingey)
Amanda Seyfried shared the post online (Instagram/@mingey)

Christina Ricci

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Wednesday actress Christina Ricci reposted a message highlighting Kirk’s past controversial remarks, including his stance on the Civil Rights Act, Martin Luther King Jr., and LGBTQ+ rights.

Michael Keaton

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Speaking at a journalism gala on September 15, actor Michael Keaton called Kirk’s death “ironic,” referencing his strong defense of gun rights. While he expressed sympathy for Kirk’s family, the comment drew sharp criticism from many who felt it was poorly timed.

Kirk was killed at an event at Utah Valley University (UVU) (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images)
Kirk was killed at an event at Utah Valley University (UVU) (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images)

Ava Raine

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WWE star Ava Raine — daughter of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson — reposted a quote on social media:
“If you want people to have kind words when you pass, you should say kind things when you’re alive.”
Though she didn’t mention Kirk directly, the timing of the post led to intense backlash online.

Stephen King

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Author Stephen King initially claimed Kirk had advocated stoning gay people to death, referencing an old exchange involving Biblical scripture. After facing pushback, including from Elon Musk, King deleted the post and issued an apology, clarifying that Kirk had been quoting scripture rather than advocating violence.

Stephen King has apologized for his original post (X/stephenking)
Stephen King has apologized for his original post (X/stephenking)

Public Reaction

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While some defended the celebrities’ right to speak openly, many critics argued their remarks lacked compassion so soon after Kirk’s assassination. The debate has only added fuel to the already divided climate surrounding Kirk’s legacy.

As the nation prepares for Kirk’s memorial service, the controversy over celebrity reactions serves as a reminder of the deep political and cultural divides in America today.

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