The week of politicizing people’s murder

By Jason Williams
Williams is a writer, researcher and founder of the Taxpayers Association of Oregon

This week saw two awful examples of conservatives politicizing people’s deaths.

First, it has been Erika Kirk, who has had to defend herself from accusations and conspiracies over her husband’s death.  People have faulted her for not mourning enough by stepping into the role of Turning Point USA chair and doing the book tour for Charlie’s latest book.  Erika assumed leadership of Turning Point because it was the most unanimous and unifying choice.   When a crisis hits an organization and their founder exits suddenly it often results in the fracturing of the organization.   Erika secured TPUSA’s future by stepping up when she did not have to.   As for Charlie’s book, “Stop in the name of God”, his book release was already scheduled.  Erika made a critical choice to support her husband’s final mission on earth.   Sometimes, completing a project of the one you love who died unexpectedly can be an extremely healing experience.

Erika Kirk also had to fight off attacks from conservative commentator Candace Owens.  Immediately upon Kirk’s death, Candace Owens speculated that Kirk’s April 2025 letter to Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, was a scandalous attack on Israel and may have played a role in his death or at least reveal a possible secret hatred of Israel.  To quell fears, Netanyahu read portions of his letter, which showed devoted support for the nation of Israel.  Candace implied that Netanyahu was hiding the rest of the scandalous details by what wasn’t released.   The letter was eventually released in full, and it showed Candace to be wrong.  This is not the type of fighting that should be done, as people were still grieving and Kirk’s body had not yet buried.  Weeks later, Candace increased her attacks by speculating that Israel may have played an unexplained role in Kirk’s death.  Candace speculated that the United States military may have played a role in his death.  Candace speculated that the FBI may be involved in a cover-up of his death.  Candace speculated that Turning Point USA may have had a role in plotting Charlie Kirk’s death.   Charlie Kirk’s Christian mentor, Frank Turek, was there at Kirk’s side during the assassination and held him during the ambulance ride.  Turek was also targeted by Candace.  She speculates that Turek gave suspicious hand-signals on the day of the murder.   Turek was criticized for not responding correctly when Charlie was shot.   These accusations have been extremely painful for Turek, who is still recovering from watching his dear friend die in his arms.  All of these speculations have led this week to a near-five-hour personal mediation meeting between Candace and Erika Kirk to make the accusations stop.    This is not how conservatives should treat the tragic death of anyone.

Also, this week saw the tragic death of Rob Reiner.  I watched Fox News as the reporter on the scene described the crime and then remarked on Rob Reiner’s politics, which are among the most insignificant part of his contributions to society.  After that segment, Fox News then had guest commentators on to talk about the death, and yet again they mentioned Rob Reiner’s political views.  They didn’t talk about what Rob Reiner was for but rather what he was against.  Please put people’s politics aside when speaking about their death.  Then Trump posted this message: “Rob Reiner, a tortured and struggling, but once very talented movie director and comedy star, has passed away, together with his wife, Michele, reportedly due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME”.   These are egregious and dehumanizing statements coming from different conservative voices on different deaths all happening at once in the same week.   This needs to stop.