GOP Senator 'Disgusted' by Conservatives Declaring 'War' After Kirk Killed

Source: Newsweek

Published Sep 11, 2025 at 7:00 PM EDT


Senator Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican, told National Journal he "was really disgusted" by some conservatives who used Charlie Kirk's death to say "we're at war" to bolster support, calling it a "cheap, disgusting, awful way to pretend like you're a leader of a conservative movement." Newsweek has reached out to Tillis's press team for comment via email on Thursday.

Why It Matters

Kirk, 31, was the co-founder and executive director of Turning Point USA, a prominent conservative campus organization. He was a frequent political commentator, often speaking on college campuses and hosting media programs and conferences, as well as a close ally to President Donald Trump.

The shooting comes amid a broader climate of political violence across the United States. In June, Minnesota Democratic state Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot and killed in a targeted political act.

Lawmakers and prominent figures across the aisle have condemned the violence, including members of the Trump administration as well as Democrats. Several prominent conservatives have cited his death as evidence that the party is at "war" and issued calls for vengeance, sparking concerns of rising tensions.

Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/gop-senator-disgusted-conservatives-declaring-war-after-kirk-killed-2128623