JD Vance makes serious blunder during speech as he seemingly blames own administration for Charlie Kirk's death
Topics: Charlie Kirk, JD Vance, News, US News, Social Media
Kit Roberts
Featured Image Credit: Turning Point USA
Topics: Charlie Kirk, JD Vance, News, US News, Social Media
JD Vance has seemingly made a blunder during a speech to supporters about the death of Charlie Kirk.
Kirk was shot while speaking at a college event in Utah, with his death prompting a furious reaction from his supporters and allies.
Far-right activist Kirk was known for his hardline views, including calling the Civil Rights Act a 'mistake', opposing women's reproductive rights, being anti-LGBTQ+ rights, and saying on one occasion that he believed some gun deaths were worth it to maintain Second Amendment rights in the US.
Tyler Robinson, 22, has been arrested and charged in connection with Kirk's death, and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty if he is convicted of the killing.
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Kirk's allies have used his death to condemn 'radicals' in the US, frequently making attacks against 'leftists' in speeches.
Vance had been giving a speech at an event being run by the far-right campaign group Turning Point USA, which Kirk co-founded. But in one part of his speech, Vance appeared to make a serious slip up.
In an apparent gaffe, Vance said: "If you miss Charlie Kirk, do you promise to fight what he died for?"
This could have been meant as 'fight for what he died for', but instead Vance appeared to make it seem like he was encouraging people to oppose Kirk.
The clip circulated on social media, where many people pointed out the apparent slip up. Many drew attention to the fact that Kirk's killing happened while Trump, an ally of Kirk's, was in the White House.
One wrote: "Take the country back from...the Trump administration?"
A second echoed that sentiment, writing: "Take it back? They’re the ones with all the power right now. Lol"
Another took things even further, saying that it was 'one person' who killed Kirk and not a group, and accused Vance of exploiting his death.
They wrote: "It was one person who took Charlie Kirk’s life and Vance is exploiting the murder of his friend for political gain."
Kirk's widow Erika Kirk has also been subject to criticism after stepping in as CEO of Turning Point USA after her husband's death.
Taking to social media after Erika shared a Christmas message in which she urged people to 'find some alone time with the Lord and your family'.
One person wrote: “I know when I grieve, I always feel better when I go on a massive publicity tour selling books, t-shirts, and supplements.”
Another took things further, writing: “Using Christmas and her dead husband's name to make money is blasphemy."