ABC Reporter's Stunning Comment on Kirk Killing Gets Huge Backlash, Has Him Desperately Trying to Explain

We've seen a lot of hot takes from the left and liberal media on the assassination of Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk.

But ABC's Jon Karl dropped a bad one when he described the killing as "not a political act."

ABC media personality Jon Karl says “the murder of Charlie Kirk was not a political act” pic.twitter.com/GtJErt6kbj
— Sean Spicer (@seanspicer) September 21, 2025

How could anyone who claims to be a journalist make such a statement, given the facts?

Not only do you have the texts of the alleged killer and his words on the bullet casings, as well as the statements of the authorities, but the authorities are also alleging that Kirk was killed for his political expression as an aggravating factor in the crime.

This obviously got a huge backlash, with Karl desperately trying to justify himself, as our sister site Townhall explained.

Here is what I actually said:

Later today, family, friends and supporters of Charlie Kirk will gather in Phoenix for his memorial service. The 31-year-old activist’s murder shocked the nation and was condemned by sensible and compassionate Americans in and out of politics and…
— Jonathan Karl (@jonkarl) September 21, 2025

Later today, family, friends and supporters of Charlie Kirk will gather in Phoenix for his memorial service. The 31-year-old activist’s murder shocked the nation and was condemned by sensible and compassionate Americans in and out of politics and across the political spectrum. It was also senselessly celebrated by some, a small minority, who didn’t like what Kirk stood for.
Celebrating or excusing violence is abhorrent. The murder of Charlie Kirk was not a political act. It was gruesome crime. His alleged killer now faces the death penalty.
Our thoughts this morning are with the Kirk family, especially his two young children who will now grow up without their father.
Whatever you think of his political views – and there are many people deeply offended by things he said – Charlie Kirk was an unwavering advocate for free speech. On a personal note – he was always willing to engage with me and answer my questions. He welcomed debate with those he disagreed with. He didn’t try to silence his critics. He listened to them and tried to change their minds.

That didn't help, as he repeated it wasn't a political act. Translation: You did say it. That was a failed effort to explain himself, especially for an alleged journalist. It was both a political act and a gruesome crime. He also added this, "There are many people deeply offended by things he said." It's more accurate to say they are "deeply offended" by the things they think he said, as Roxanne Hoge notes, since so much of what the left or liberal media thinks about him is wrong or twisted.

Correction, Mr. Karl.

There are there are many people deeply offended by things THEY THINK he said. pic.twitter.com/ZwJyvMSx2V
— Roxanne Hoge (@RoxanneHoge) September 21, 2025

Karl tried again.

My comment was directed at those people who celebrate or excuse the murder of Charlie Kirk because they didn’t like his political views. That’s twisted and abhorrent. When you are committing violence, you are committing a crime, not practicing politics.

I am not saying the…
— Jonathan Karl (@jonkarl) September 21, 2025

He said he wasn't saying there wasn't political motivation, he said he was trying to say people celebrate or excuse it because they don't like his political views are wrong, because it was a crime.

The problem? He's saying that, as many on the left have been trying to deny the alleged leftist orientation behind the act. And when you claim it's not a political act, you're helping that denial of the facts.

If you accept polling, there's also an appreciable number of folks on the left who justify political violence against their political opponents, as Townhall noted.

New poll from YouGov

Agree it's okay to be happy about death of political figure they oppose:

Very Liberal: 24%
Liberal: 10%
Moderate: 7%
Conservative: 4%
Very Conservative: 3%

Agree violence can be justified to achieve political goals:

VL: 25%
L: 17%
M: 9%
C: 6%
VC: 3% pic.twitter.com/GztzwPcaqv
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) September 16, 2025

We saw this in the past with people thinking that violence against President Donald Trump or Elon Musk was somehow justified.

This is a huge issue, and it needs to be clearly called out.

Editor's Note: The mainstream media continues to deflect, gaslight, spin, and lie about President Trump, his administration, and conservatives.

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