'Total clown show': MAGA lashes out at Trump’s FBI director for botching Charlie Kirk investigation
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Turning Point USA's Charlie Kirk on March 6, 2025 (Sua Sponte Photography/Shutterstock.com)
As the manhunt for Charlie Kirk's assassin began, supporters of President Donald Trump focused their rage on FBI Director Kash Patel over his rush to claim a suspect was in custody, only to release the alleged suspect nearly two hours later.
Kirk was killed by a single shot in the neck at an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.
Shortly after the shooting, Patel jumped on X, formerly Twitter, to detail a "subject ... now in custody."
"The subject for the horrific shooting today that took the life of Charlie Kirk is now in custody. Thank you to the local and state authorities in Utah for your partnership with @fbi. We will provide updates when able," Patel posted on X.
Patel later backpedaled, saying, "The subject in custody has been released after an interrogation by law enforcement. Our investigation continues and we will continue to release information in interest of transparency."
Journalist Peter Hasson revealed, "I’ve heard from multiple people in the Trump admin that they’re not happy with how Kash Patel has handled today."
"Suspect on lose. Unreal. Get him," posted Fox News host Laura Ingraham.
"Unacceptable! Get him tonight," wrote Trump supporter Janet Flynn on X.
Conservative X account Heartland Grump said, "The FBI is putting on a total clown show today. Just keep your mouth shut until you get your s—— together."
"We look disorganized," said MAGA poster TW. "Amateur hour," wrote another.
As of Thursday morning, the killer was still on the loose. A press conference by the FBI and the Utah Department of Public Safety said they recovered a high-powered bolt action rifle and that the suspect appears to be college-aged.