Charlie Kirk inspired a generation of conservative youth. He toured campuses whipping up culture wars, actively courting controversy. But his horrific killing last week, in broad daylight, as he addressed a crowd of students left the US reeling. While the US is no stranger to political violence, a new mood has taken hold.
Rightwing politicians – and the president himself, have laid the blame squarely at “leftwing” violence. And insisted he would take action. While Kirk’s widow gave an extraordinary speech saying her grief would act as a “battle cry” around the world. The calls for calm and unity that more often follow such political violence are being drowned out.
Ed Pilkington explains to Nosheen Iqbal why this moment feels so perilous. “The response has been entirely polarised,” he explains, “and what we’re seeing, it’s kind of happening in front of our eyes. We’re seeing Charlie Kirk emerge as a martyr.” But with rightwing political figures saying this is now a war what could happen next?
