Why Melissa Hortman's assassination has come up after Charlie Kirk's UVU shooting. Explained
Trump ally and executive director of the conservative Turning Point USA, Charlie Kirk, died after being shot at an event at Utah Valley University
Trump ally and executive director of the conservative Turning Point USA advocacy group, Charlie Kirk, died after being shot at an event at Utah Valley University, Orem, on Wednesday. The conservative commentator was answering a question about mass shootings before a shot rang out. He could be seen immediately holding his neck as blood gushed. The suspect has not been arrested.
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However, soon after the shooting, social media users recalled former Minnesota Rep Melissa Hortman's assassination. Several bizarre reactions emerged, and at the time of writing this story, Hortman is ranked third on Google Trends with over 20k search volume in the last two hours. Her assassination is also trending on X, platform formerly known as Twitter.
Breaking down the Melissa Hortman trend
Now, social media users allege that conservatives commenting on Kirk's death did not react to Hortman's death. HT.com cannot verify these claims.
“If you're praying for Charlie Kirk, I'm praying with you! If you're using this to create a narrative of political violence from the LEFT, Im going to remind you that a MAGA man and Trump supporter just assassinated Democratic official Melissa Hortman and her husband less than 3 months ago,” one person wrote on X, platform formerly known as Twitter.
Read More: Charlie Kirk shooting: Exact moment Trump supporter was shot in the neck at Utah University - Video
“There’s going to be a lot of right-wingers on this site today who simply deny that Melissa Hortman was killed by a right-winger or pretend that event never happened. Acting as if political violence is some uniquely left- or right-caused issue will only escalate the problem,” another one tweeted.
Earlier this year, a gunman posing as a police officer in Minnesota murdered Democratic state lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband and shot Democratic Senator John Hoffman and his wife.
Meanwhile, several politicians paid tribute to Charlie Kirk and slammed gun violence.
"Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord," Vice President JD Vance, who was close to Kirk, wrote on X.
"The attack on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, vile, and reprehensible," Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom said on X, before Kirk's death had been confirmed. "In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form."
