Had you heard of Charlie Kirk before yesterday?

[Havetoagree]

Just that really? I hadn’t and wondering if I’m the only one. And why is it such a big story? I guess the association with trump. What would be the equivalent level of fame over here?

I'm almost 50, and yes, I'd seen him and been impressed by his calm willingness to debate.
I'm actually really upset about his assassination and a few FB friends are showing their true colours (he deserved it for his views).

Yes I had heard of him and I’m nearly 50. He was a really interesting guy, with some views I mainly disagreed with, although some I agreed with. He challenged alot of peoples perspectives and was instrumental in getting many young people engaged in politics. He was someone who was probably the first person to challenge some of these young people’s ideologies to their face, he raised alternative perspectives with them,

Ah the white supremacy?

did you feel the same about anjem choudary when he was using his free speech to campaign for sharia in the UK? Or al bagdhadi when he was extolling the virtues of Isis?

I’m 54 and I’d heard of him through 30yo DS1. We both thought he was utterly disgusting. He didn’t deserve to be murdered, though. I feel sorry for his wife and children.

I hadn’t - but grew up going to church. Turns out a lot of people who went to church who were slightly more conservative than my family (who I wouldn’t say were very conservative) have been mourning his loss on facebook and I have really wanted to say - what that bigot to them - but he has also left a wife and children so I have bitten my tongue. Now I do and I don’t want to know what my parents and little sister know about him to assess if they’re falling down some christian right wing rabbit hole which I didn’t really realise existed in the UK. scary stuff!

Oh I’m so sorry if you knew him personally

That's quite a reach.

Not that you give a shit what I feel, you just want to pour more bile on to a slaughtered man's name but yes, everyone is entitled to free speech. I would never want to shut down debate or to murder someone for having opposing views. Because I am not a crazed killer.

Yes indeed.

It's like saying Hitler never actually shoved people into gas chambers with his own hands. Still didn't make him a nice guy.

How does forcing a child rape victim to carry a child against her will equate to a good man?

Honestly, you use your freedom of speech to say lots of racist things and the lefties just love to call you racist! So predictable!

What did he say that was racist? Genuine question.

Say what you like about Hitler, he always kept his shoes polished.

No, hadn’t heard but I don’t follow the news much these days.

he said that if he saw a black man was a pilot, he'd think, boy, he hoped the were qualified.

he inferred black women are sub-intelligent.

he referred to 'prowling blacks'

Thats notwithstanding his comments on muslims and Gazans.

How long have you got..?

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/11/charlie-kirk-quotes-beliefs

So you were totally ok with those saying death to the west? Totally ok with it. Somehow I doubt that.

its not bile dear, those are Charlie’s actual beliefs and in some instances direct quotes. The man was a white supremacist who hated women and ltgbt people. He was very open about that, but if you think his views are bile well then, I don’t know what to tell you

I'm 38 and hadn't. I keep a close political eye on things however, my sister never watches the news and has no interest in politics whatsoever yet she knew him from Tiktok!
I've been thinking recently that I need to move on to social media for a wider range of news (if I can stomach it that is!) The BBC often don't report things until they've ascertained what they're about to release is entirely accurate or, not to stoke tensions.
For example, first I'd heard of recent protests was on here - there was a bit of a media blackout. Although, I guess it depends on what you read and algorithms that you follow...or follow you 😬

No we’re not but we don’t go around saying that some deaths are the price to be paid for the freedom to carry arms either.

In my 60s. I was well aware of him and his often abhorrent views. His belief that gun deaths were an acceptable price to pay to have the 2nd amendment must haunt his wife.

Everyone I don't like is literally Hitler

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I'd heard the name but dc4 has just finished a degree linked to international politics so knew lots more than me. Like others have said, his politics were the absolute opposite of mine and he held many shocking views but I'm still sad he's died. No-one has the right to take someone else's life. He was a human being, a father and a husband.

Yes, I’d seen lots of his content. I’m mid-30’s

I had heard of him briefly and disagreed with alot of his views. I hope Americans re-think their gun laws now.

No. I’m mid 40s