Kelly Defends Trump, Rebukes Critics After Kirk's Death

At a Turning Point USA event at Virginia Tech, Megyn Kelly forcefully rebuked a student who said President Trump’s rhetoric contributed to the assassination of Charlie Kirk, calling the claim “a blatant lie,” “defamatory” and “utterly empty,” and defending Trump’s joking remark at Kirk’s memorial as self-deprecating. Kelly cited what she and others say is evidence the accused shooter was motivated by leftist ideology — including alleged markings on ammunition and statements from officials and family — and argued political violence is overwhelmingly left-wing. She condemned a Jezebel post that boasted of paying “Etsy witches” to curse Kirk, said Charlie and Erika Kirk were “rattled” and reportedly summoned a priest the night before his murder; Jezebel later removed the article and condemned the shooting. The confrontation drew jeers, circulated widely on social media, and observers noted Elon Musk was photographed beside President Trump at Kirk’s memorial making a triangular hand gesture that spawned online conspiracy speculation.