Alleged Charlie Kirk Killer Had 'Leftist' Beliefs, Utah Governor Says
The man arrested over conservative influencer Charlie Kirk's assassination was romantically involved with a transgender roommate and had "leftist ideology," Utah's governor said.
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The suspect in conservative figure Charlie Kirk's assassination was in a romantic relationship with a transgender individual and held "leftist ideology," according to Utah Governor Spencer Cox on Sunday, adding details that may intensify the divisive national conversation surrounding the killing.
"Yes I can confirm that," Governor Cox stated on CNN's "State of the Union" when questioned about suspect Tyler Robinson's reported relationship with a transgender partner.
"The roommate was a romantic partner, a male transitioning to a female," Cox elaborated.
"This partner has been fully cooperative, had no awareness of these plans, and is currently assisting investigators," he further noted.
Cox mentioned that the 22-year-old Robinson is expected to face formal charges Tuesday, while emphasizing that investigators haven't determined whether the partner's transgender status influenced Robinson's alleged decision to target Kirk, a known Trump ally.
"We're still trying to piece all of these elements together," he explained.
Cox, who received praise this week for calling on Americans to reduce political hostility, appeared on several US networks Sunday and told NBC's "Meet the Press" that evidence indicates Robinson embraced left-wing beliefs.
"There clearly was a leftist ideology with this -- with this assassin," Cox stated.
He explained that this information about Robinson, who remains uncooperative, came from "people around him, from his family members and friends."
Multiple media outlets reported Robinson's relationship with a transgender person on Saturday, triggering outrage from far-right activists who have focused extensively on gender identity issues in recent years.
Conservative influencer Laura Loomer, who has Trump's attention, called Saturday "to designate the Trans movement as a terrorist movement," while Elon Musk, owner of X, promoted numerous posts advocating for bans on gender treatments and criticizing leftist ideology.
Musk escalated his rhetoric Saturday, telling attendees at a London far-right rally that "the left is the party of murder."
Cox reiterated his appeal for civility across political divides, while criticizing social media companies by likening their addictive algorithms to fentanyl.
'Trans Delusion'
Kirk was shot Wednesday during a speaking engagement at a Utah university campus. As founder of conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, he was an outspoken critic of transgender rights advocacy.
In August, Kirk posted on X about what he termed a "trans delusion death cult," shortly after a Minneapolis school church shooting left two children dead and nine wounded, reportedly by a 23-year-old assailant who identified as transgender.
Kirk's provocative statements have generated controversy. He frequently referenced his Christian faith while criticizing what he and others called gender ideology.
In a 2023 video documented by Right Wing Watch, Kirk is shown telling a church audience that being transgender is "a throbbing middle finger to God."
As debate continues over the motivation behind Kirk's murder, Pete Buttigieg, a former Biden cabinet member, emphasized there was "not a consistent pattern of left versus right among the shooters" in recent high-profile attacks, noting that Democratic Minnesota legislator Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed in June.
"We have to reject anyone who would try to exploit political violence," Buttigieg told NBC.
"The response to this cannot be for the government to crack down on individuals or groups because they challenge the government politically."
Turning Point USA announced that Kirk's memorial service will be held at a football stadium near Phoenix, Arizona on September 21, with Trump expected to attend.