Kirk Assassination Triggers Conservative Outrage: Media Misinformation and the Stephen King Defamation Storm
Best-selling novelist Stephen King ignited a firestorm by falsely accusing conservative commentator Charlie Kirk of advocating stoning gays to death, days after Kirk’s tragic assassination. During a lively Q&A session at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025, Charlie Kirk was fatally shot in the neck, sending shockwaves across the conservative movement. According to ABC7 Los Angeles, Kirk’s assassination occurred as he was engaging with college students—his signature audience, and the main mission of his Turning Point USA organization. Law enforcement continues to search for the unidentified gunman, while Kirk supporters grieve and demand justice.
With the conservative movement still in mourning, Stephen King immediately took to social media, posting, “He advocated stoning gays to death.” These words weren’t just false; they were fabricated—a hit piece against Kirk while his family and followers mourned. King’s claim was swiftly dismantled as completely unfounded, yet the damage from his 17 million followers amplifying an outright lie was already unleashed.
“Stephen King knows he’s lying,” said one top pro-Trump commentator. “But that’s never stopped the left from smearing the dead to score political points.”
King, instead of retracting, doubled down by framing Kirk’s assassination as “another example of American gun violence,” suggesting the shooter was “probably mentally unstable.” As if Kirk’s views, not the killer’s actions, were to blame. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump wasted no time showing real leadership, ordering all U.S. flags to half-mast and announcing Kirk would posthumously receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom—the nation’s highest civilian honor. Trump’s decisive move stands in stark contrast to the vulture-like tactics of high-profile liberal figures profiting off misinformation.
The fallout was immediate and fierce. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) called for Kirk’s estate to pursue defamation charges, declaring King had “crossed a line that will prove costly” (source). Meanwhile, Senator Ted Cruz (R) denounced King as “dishonest & filled with hate”—the kind of pushback so sorely lacking when Big Tech censors conservatives, but essential now to protect the honor of a slain patriot.
Ted Cruz and Mike Lee Lead Charge for Justice: Defending Kirk’s Legacy from Media Smears
The left’s desperate attempts to attack conservatives did not stop, even after Charlie Kirk was gunned down while defending the Second Amendment on a university campus. As details emerged about the heinous act—Kirk being shot during a student forum at Utah Valley University, per ABC7 Los Angeles—so did the coordinated smears from mainstream media and outspoken leftist icons.
Senators Ted Cruz (R) and Mike Lee (R-UT) wasted no time standing up for Kirk and his legacy, calling out what they described as a ‘new low’ by Stephen King—a best-selling author who chose to politicize a tragedy rather than seek truth or healing. Cruz called out King directly for fabricating quotes, labeling him a “horrible, evil, twisted liar.” On the floor of the Senate, Lee spoke for millions: “When celebrities use their influence to slander the dead, they deserve to be held accountable. King will regret slandering Charlie’s good name.”
At a time when many Americans are longing for unity, the left appears content to divide by spreading falsehoods about conservative icons, even in their graves. The manufactured claim against Kirk was egregious in its timing—Kirk’s loved ones hadn’t even had time to process their grief before having to defend his name. Conservatives nationwide rallied behind Lee’s call for legal action, seeing it as an urgent necessity.
As one Turning Point USA campus organizer put it, “We’ve had enough of being the left’s punching bag. King and his ilk think they’re untouchable. Let’s prove them wrong.”
In a particularly galling display, King tried to justify his lies by accusing Kirk of advocating for Second Amendment rights, pulling a Kirk quote about the cost of gun freedom out of context: “I think it’s worth it… to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every year so that we can have the Second Amendment.” Kirk’s real point, routinely ignored by his critics, was that preserving liberty sometimes requires difficult tradeoffs—a principle woven into America’s very fabric, and now more relevant than ever in the face of coordinated attacks on basic freedoms.
American families, watching this saga unfold, understand one thing: truth still matters. The ongoing hunt for Kirk’s assassin underscores the dangerous reality: the rhetoric and smears of radical public figures can encourage real-world violence. With tensions already high, using fabrications as political weapons does nothing but endanger more Americans. Protecting free speech shouldn’t mean letting the left slander our heroes unchecked.
The Larger Culture War: Why Conservatives Fight for Truth Amid Liberal Attacks
What started as one man’s assassination has mushroomed into a defining moment in the broader culture war—where the left manipulates media narratives while the right demands justice, accountability, and fidelity to the facts. Charlie Kirk’s career was never without controversy. He made it his mission to challenge progressive orthodoxies on campuses and promote conservative values—especially about faith, family, and freedom.
Critics have frequently misrepresented Kirk’s views, ignoring the context in pursuit of ideological hit jobs. The falsely attributed “stoning” quote wasn’t just a mischaracterization; it was an outright fabrication, as pointed out in multiple outlets. King’s post was a symptom of a media culture that reflexively attacks prominent conservatives—often within hours of tragedy—without fact-checking or regard for decency. If not checked now, these smears will keep getting bolder.
“Conservatives have learned that no matter the cost, we can’t let the left write our history for us. When they lie, we push back—because truth is always worth defending,” said a Turning Point USA spokesperson.
It’s also telling that, at the highest levels, conservative leadership has responded decisively and honorably: President Trump quickly announced the Presidential Medal of Freedom for Kirk, sending a powerful message that the sacrifice of defending American values—however controversial—is something to be respected, not slandered (source).
No stranger to hostile media, Trump himself has been the target of constant defamation and half-truths. Under his leadership, the conservative movement is fighting back on every front—against media lies, Big Tech censorship, and political violence. The battle over Charlie Kirk’s legacy is about more than just one man; it’s about the ongoing struggle to keep America’s promise of freedom, truth, and honor alive for future generations.
If there’s one thing this episode has made clear, it’s that the left will stop at nothing—even defaming the dead—to advance its agenda. That’s why conservative voices are fighting harder than ever to ensure that, no matter how many lies they try to sell, Americans will know the truth.