The Excerpt Charlie Kirk's assassination matters more than you think
Sep 14, 2025
In this compelling discussion, Will Carless, a national reporter for USA Today with expertise in extremism, delves into the shocking assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. He highlights the unsettling rise in political violence against public figures and the implications for American society. The conversation addresses the escalating political tensions following Kirk's death and how partisanship may be fueling this alarming trend. Carless warns of a potential cycle of retaliation, raising critical questions about the future of political discourse in the U.S.
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High-Profile Assassination Shocks Nation
- Charlie Kirk was shot dead while speaking to thousands, struck by a bullet fired from a nearby rooftop captured on video.
- The assassination marks a potential inflection point in U.S. political violence and raises many unanswered questions about motive.
Violence Against Political Figures Has Risen
- Will Carless notes a clear uptick in violence against political figures this year, roughly double the incidents from last year.
- He emphasizes we must identify the shooter before drawing firm conclusions about motive.
Rush To Blame Ahead Of Facts
- President Trump quickly labeled the killing an assassination and blamed the far left without public evidence.
- Will Carless warns public figures may rush to assign blame before investigators release facts.