Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), a Democrat from New York, caused a huge stir yesterday with a fiery House speech blasting Charlie Kirk, the conservative leader of Turning Point USA, who was killed on September 10 in Utah. Kirk, 31, was shot by a sniper during a campus event, and his death has rocked the nation. AOC’s harsh words came as she voted “no” on a resolution honoring Kirk, calling his ideas “ignorant” and “uneducated.” The backlash online and from conservatives has been intense.
Kirk was speaking at Utah Valley University when 22-year-old Tyler Robinson shot him from a rooftop. Robinson, who later turned himself in, left a note saying he wanted to “take out” Kirk. The FBI is calling it a political assassination, and Robinson faces murder charges. This comes amid other 2025 attacks, like the killing of a health insurance CEO and attempts on former President Trump.
The House resolution, backed by Republicans, praised Kirk as a “unifier” who built Turning Point USA to push conservative values like free markets. But AOC wasn’t having it. In her speech, she said, “Charlie Kirk was… ignorant, uneducated, and tried to stop millions from voting.” She claimed his campus events spread “bigotry” and hurt minorities. Her three-minute speech, given just before Kirk’s Arizona funeral, has conservatives furious, especially since Trump plans to give Kirk a Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Social media, especially X, exploded with over 2 million views of the speech clip. Users like @libsoftiktok called AOC “disgusting,” while @GuntherEagleman said she’s “vile” and doesn’t belong in Congress. Republicans, including Vice President JD Vance, say her words fuel violence against conservatives. Turning Point supporters are holding vigils, and House Speaker Mike Johnson called the speech a “new low.” Ninety-six Democrats joined AOC in voting against the resolution.
Some progressives defend AOC, saying she’s calling out Kirk’s harmful rhetoric on race and immigration. One X user wrote, “Free speech goes both ways,” pointing to Kirk’s controversial statements. But with Kirk’s widow, Erika, sharing a tearful podcast tribute seen by 500,000 people, most see AOC’s timing as cruel.
As the nation mourns Kirk and awaits Robinson’s court hearing on September 29, AOC’s speech has deepened America’s divide. Was it a bold stand or a heartless jab? With political violence rising, this tragedy shows how words can cut as deep as bullets.