Right-wing pro-Trump group deletes tweet mocking ‘leftists’ for wearing protective masks after co-founder dies from COVID-19

On Tuesday, July 28, Charlie Kirk — co-founder of the right-wing student group Turning Point USA and a supporter of President Donald Trump — announced on Twitter that the organization’s other co-founder, 80-year-old Republican activist Bill Montgomery, had died of complications from COVID-19. Earlier that day, TPUSA had posted a tweet mocking “leftists” for wearing face masks — and that tweet, according to Business Insider’s Tom Porter, was deleted following Montgomery’s death.
An American hero died today. Bill Montgomery passed away at 80. He believed in me. He poured his heart & soul & ti… https://t.co/jQHTqSTLUY— Charlie Kirk (@Charlie Kirk) 1595955921.0
TPUSA, sadly, has a history of downplaying the importance of social distancing measures and ridiculing the use of face masks. In a tweet posted on July 22 — less than a week before Montgomery’s death — TPUSA tweeted a sign that read, “Imagine if everyone wearing a mask was carrying a copy of the Constitution instead” (as if trying to avoid getting sick with COVID-19 and possibly dying from it somehow limits one’s ability to defend the Constitution).
Wouldn't THAT Be Nice! #BigGovSucks https://t.co/OF491pxCE1— Turning Point USA (@Turning Point USA) 1595458445.0
If masks & social distancing actually work why is Harvard still forcing students to pay $50,000 in tuition for online-only classes? 🤔— Charlie Kirk (@Charlie Kirk) 1594089887.0
In a March 22 op-ed for Fox News’ website, Kirk acknowledged how dangerous COVID-19 is and encouraged young adults to be careful. However, Kirk has been critical of local governments that have mandated face masks in public places; on his podcast, Kirk recently declared, “Do not force me to wear a mask — it’s that simple. I’m not gonna do it, I’m not.”
- Trump's own administration just brutally debunked his claim about deleted votes - Alternet.org ›
- Insiders at this Trump-favored charity are cashing in — and its financial reporting is questionable - Alternet.org ›
- Far-right activist Charlie Kirk loses it over Mitch McConnell congratulating Biden - Alternet.org ›
- Trump and the right wing have mastered the politics of victimhood. Research suggests we're all its victims - Alternet.org ›