Three in Four Americans Think Kirk's Death Will Shape National Politics

Public Reaction and Concerns Over Charlie Kirk’s Assassination

A recent survey conducted by Morning Consult for the Deseret News and the Hinckley Institute of Politics has revealed that nearly three-quarters of Americans believe the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk will have an impact on national politics. The survey, which took place from September 10 to 15, found that 48% of adults think his death will significantly affect national politics, while another 25% believe it will have a minor impact.

Only 10% of respondents said they thought the event would have no effect on national politics, and 17% were unsure. The poll also highlighted a widespread concern among Americans about rising political violence, civil unrest, and polarization, which many see as signs of a society in decline.

In the wake of the shooting, which occurred at an outdoor public event at Utah Valley University, there has been a strong outpouring of support and sympathy for Kirk. As a prominent figure in conservative circles, he was known for his work with Turning Point USA, one of the largest organizations for conservative youth in the country. He was a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump and played a key role in mobilizing younger voters during recent elections.

Trump responded to the tragedy by ordering flags to be flown at half mast in Kirk’s honor and announced plans to posthumously award him the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Vice President JD Vance also made efforts to bring Kirk’s body back to Arizona aboard Air Force Two. These actions reflect the high regard in which many conservatives hold Kirk.

However, the incident has also sparked debates about political violence and divisive rhetoric. Conservative activists have drawn attention to individuals who celebrated the assassination, and officials like Attorney General Pam Bondi have pledged to investigate those engaging in hate speech related to the event. The story has remained a major topic in both national and international news cycles.

Following the News and Public Awareness

According to the survey, 30% of Americans reported following the news coverage of Kirk’s murder very closely, while 36% said they were somewhat engaged. One-fifth of respondents said they weren’t paying much attention, and 9% claimed they hadn’t followed the news at all. A small percentage, 5%, said they had never heard of the incident before the survey.

Conservative-leaning individuals and Republicans were more likely to follow the news closely than Democrats or independents. Interestingly, the survey found that people aged 65 or older were more engaged with the story than other age groups. This suggests that the tragedy resonated more deeply with older generations.

Many respondents were unfamiliar with Kirk before the shooting. Approximately 33% said they knew nothing about him, while 19% had heard his name but weren’t familiar with his work. However, almost half of the respondents had some level of awareness, particularly due to his presence on social media and within conservative circles.

The survey also found that more men were familiar with Kirk and his work than women. About 47% of respondents said they were very shocked by the news of his death, while 22% felt somewhat surprised. Around 18% said they weren’t very shocked, and 12% had no opinion.

Public Approval of Political Responses

On the national level, Americans were divided in their assessment of how Trump responded to the shooting. While 28% strongly approved of his reaction and 14% somewhat approved, 29% strongly disapproved, and 9% somewhat disapproved. Another 20% said they didn’t have an opinion.

Governor Spencer Cox of Utah received more positive feedback. He quickly mobilized law enforcement and worked with the FBI to investigate the case. His message focused on reducing political tensions and promoting civility. Among those who heard his response, 41% said they approved, while 17% disapproved. Nearly 40% remained neutral.

Regional Differences in Perception

The same survey questions were asked to both national and Utah residents. While 66% of Americans said they were following the news closely, 82% of Utahns did so. Utahns were also more aware of who Kirk was before the shooting and more shocked by his death. They were more likely to believe the assassination would impact national politics, with 50% thinking it would have a major effect compared to 48% nationally.

Utah’s congressional delegation, including Senator Mike Lee and Representative Mike Kennedy, has shown support for Kirk’s legacy by passing a resolution condemning his death. This has likely contributed to the heightened sense of impact among Utah residents.

The Utah survey included 502 adults with a margin of error of +/- 4 percentage points, while the national survey involved 2,239 adults with a margin of error of +/- 2 percentage points. Both surveys were conducted by Morning Consult.