JD Vance Calls for Accountability Over Charlie Kirk's Death Celebration

Mon Oct 20 2025 18:19:48 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Vice-President JD Vance urges accountability for those celebrating Charlie Kirk's death, warning against political violence while critiquing insensitivity on social media.

In a recent episode of the Charlie Kirk Show, Vice-President JD Vance condemned those celebrating the death of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, who was shot during a debate at Utah Valley University. Vance called for reporting such individuals to their employers and highlighted the firings of professionals for inappropriate comments online. This raises concerns about free speech amidst a backdrop of growing political tensions and calls for accountability from Republican lawmakers.

People who celebrate the killing of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk should be held accountable, US Vice-President JD Vance has said.

Call them out, and hell, call their employer, Vance said as he guest-hosted an episode of the Charlie Kirk Show. We don't believe in political violence, but we do believe in civility.

Pilots, medical professionals, teachers, and one Secret Service employee are among those suspended or sacked for social media posts deemed inappropriate about Kirk's death.

Critics have argued that the firings threaten free speech and employee protections, although US companies have wide latitude to terminate employees.

Vance's comments aired on Monday in an episode of the Charlie Kirk Show, where he argued that left-wing Americans are more likely to defend political violence, stating, there is no civility in the celebration of political assassination.

A recent YouGov poll indicated that liberal Americans are more likely than conservatives to express enjoyment over the deaths of political opponents.

Vance's remarks are supported by other Republican lawmakers, with calls for punishing those celebrating Kirk's death becoming a growing sentiment. Florida congressman Randy Fine demanded firings and license revocations for individuals making insensitive comments, while South Carolina congresswoman Nancy Mace urged the cutting off of funds to any institution that fails to retaliate against such remarks.

Amidst the outrage, some academics and journalists are also facing repercussions for their posts, stirring debate over cancel culture. Notably, Clemson University has taken action against employees for inappropriate social media comments related to Kirk's killing.

The escalating tensions around free speech and accountability reflect a politically charged atmosphere, impacting various sectors, including academia and journalism.