Kirk was slain during a speaking engagement at Utah Valley University as part of Turning Point USA's first event on a tour of college campuses, as noted in a Politico report. Kirk was a notable voice in the conservative movement and a close ally of the Trump administration, which led to aggressive critics openly wishing him harm. Elon Musk, due to his contributions to the Trump campaign and his later work with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has also attracted a substantial amount of vitriol from critics. Tesla owners and the company itself suffered attacks due to critics' anger towards Musk, with several stores and cars being vandalized or victimized in arson attacks.
"What I and my family have faced in recent weeks is not political debate. It is abuse. It is intimidation. It is behaviour that should never, ever be treated as normal. And no one is to blame except those choosing to abuse and make threats. "The threats made against my family are having deeply distressing consequences. Last week, direct threats were made against my children. And now, this weekend, late last night, vile and horrific threats were directed at a very close family member."
