California Senator’s Sharp Words for Charlie Kirk Spark Outrage After Assassination
San Francisco, September 16, 2025 — The death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk last week has already stirred up a storm of grief and anger across the country. But now, a California state senator’s pointed comments about the late Turning Point USA founder are pouring fuel on the fire, drawing sharp criticism from the right.
State Sen. Scott Wiener, a Democrat from San Francisco known for his work on LGBTQ rights, took to X on Monday to condemn the assassination that happened during a speaking event at Utah Valley University. “Charlie Kirk did not deserve to die,” Wiener wrote plainly. But he didn’t stop there. He added, “Also Charlie Kirk was a vile bigot who did immeasurable harm to so many people by normalizing dehumanization.” He went on to say that while campus debates are valuable, “dehumanizing people — & persuading others to do so — is horrific.”
The post quickly went viral, racking up thousands of reactions. Conservatives, still raw from Kirk’s public killing, saw it as a slap in the face. The RNC Research account on X called it “absolutely disgusting” from the “tolerant left.” Others piled on, with one user labeling Wiener a “vile, inconsiderate snake.” Vigils for Kirk popped up at universities nationwide, underscoring the young activist’s reach among college conservatives.
Wiener, who is openly gay and has clashed with Kirk before—back in 2022, he fired back at Kirk’s attacks on his transgender rights bills—stuck to his guns. This isn’t the first time the two crossed paths publicly. Kirk had accused Wiener of pushing “horrifying” gender ideology laws, which Wiener dismissed as “lies bigots have always spread.”
The backlash highlights the deep divides in American politics, especially when tragedy strikes. Kirk, just 31, built a movement that energized young Republicans, but critics like Wiener argue it came at a cost to marginalized groups. As one X user put it, questioning if Kirk really “dehumanized” anyone, the debate rages on even in death.
For now, Wiener’s words have folks talking—some in support of his candor, others in outright fury. It’s a reminder that in these tense times, even mourning can turn into a battleground.