House Republican demands Trump tone down 'ridiculous rhetoric' after Charlie Kirk shooting

11 September

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media on board Air Force One on the way to Miami, Florida, U.S., April 12, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) is urging President Donald Trump to temper his rhetoric following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, after Trump blamed the “radical left” for creating the conditions that led to Kirk’s killing.

Kirk, a prominent conservative activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed Wednesday during a live event at Utah Valley University. Authorities say the shooting appeared targeted, and the FBI has recovered the rifle believed to have been used.

According to a report by The Hill published Thursday, Massie said, “I mean, there is a lot of rhetoric. And the president himself engages in it — he called it a hostile act to co-sponsor the Epstein resolution.”

“I think that’s ridiculous rhetoric,” he added.

The Kentucky Republican, who has been a consistent Trump critic in Congress, filed a discharge petition earlier this month to force a House vote on releasing files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein — an effort that is steadily gaining signatures.

“Well, emotions are raw, because a lot of us knew Charlie Kirk personally and had interacted with him. And so, I give everybody a pass here,” Massie said, per the report.

“You know, things when somebody passes — it’s a very emotional moment. And I don’t think you can blame anybody for what they say in the next 24 or 48 hours, but I think it’ll settle down, and hopefully it settles down to a calmer place than it was before,” he added.

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