US: the murder of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk
The right-wing conservative US podcaster and activist Charlie Kirk was shot dead during an appearance at Utah Valley University last week. Kirk had close ties to US President Donald Trump and founded the organisation Turning Point USA, which is active at schools and universities. A 22-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the killing. Commentators discuss the dangers of deepening polarisation.
An act that divides the world
The polarisation of US society is increasing, observes T24:
“The murder of Charlie Kirk during a speech at a university event has divided not just the US, but also Europe. During the session of the European Parliament on 11 September, a minute's silence was held in memory of Kirk [only to be interrupted by the person chairing the session]. But members of the left-wing parliamentary group in particular refused to join in. ... It is shocking that in the US, alongside those who defend Kirk, there are also those who believe that he 'deserved to die'. Such a huge divide is a sign that the polarisation in American society has further intensified.”
Words become weapons
Naftemporiki analyses:
“A bullet whose casing bore the inscription 'Hey fascist! Catch!' was found in the weapon used by Charlie Kirk's alleged murderer. ... Words as a weapon – on bullet casing in the US, on social media threads or TV talk shows in Greece: 'fascist' has become a word – a weapon – that is pulled out whenever there are no arguments at hand. And every time it's used, it loses a bit of its original meaning but gains in toxicity. The tragedy surrounding Charlie Kirk is perhaps the most powerful wake-up call. Because if an engraved bullet isn't enough to remind us how dangerous language can be, then what will it take?”
Political opponents also deserve respect
Hungary should rethink its political culture, writes former liberal MP and minister Gábor Fodor in Index:
“I hope that the tragic murder of Charlie Kirk will prompt the warring parties to stop demonising their political opponents. When one side wants to send the other to prison if it wins, and the other side brands its opponents as traitors to their country and foreign agents, extremists will be encouraged to resort to violence because they believe that the world will end if their party doesn't win. Public life in our country will only return to normal once we are finally able to recognise that our political opponents also serve the interests of the country, even if we disagree with them.”
The hubris of moral superiority
Weekendavisen is pessimistic about the future of the US:
“The murder of Charlie Kirk is also a symbol of a dying America. ... Both sides insist they have the ultimate moral high ground. Charlie Kirk's message was that white men are victims, oppressed by minorities and women. It's the same story on the left, but in reverse. Both sides see themselves as powerless but morally superior, fighting for a justice greater than the country's democratic institutions. ... Although Charlie Kirk helped to widen the rifts between the population groups, he also tried to build bridges to connect with his opponents, and he paid for it with his life.”