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North Carolina student wins $95K after school accused her of vandalizing spirit rock with Charlie Kirk tribute

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:00:09 -0400

A North Carolina high school student has reached a $95,000 settlement with her school district after she was publicly accused of vandalism and told she was under police investigation. The controversy revolved around painting a campus "spirit rock" with a Bible verse and patriotic message in tribute to the late Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.

ӣ��Ƶ Digital has learned that a settlement was reached this week between the family of Ardrey Kell High School student Gabby Stout and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education. Under the terms of the agreement, the school board will adopt a new free speech policy, issue a public statement expressing regret, and pay $95,000 to Stout's legal team at Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF).

The settlement comes six months after the Stouts filed a federal lawsuit alleging rampant violations of the student's First Amendment rights.

Stout told ӣ��Ƶ Digital the settlement ultimately clears her name.

"This settlement finally reinforces that I did nothing wrong, and the school system has to admit that publicly," she said. "After I got permission to paint a message sharing my faith in God, school officials accused me of vandalism in front of my whole school and my entire community. Then they put me through an unfair investigation. They never should have treated me this way, and by saying they regret that I had this experience, they are finally acknowledging that publicly."

NORTH CAROLINA TEEN SUES SCHOOL AFTER CHARLIE KIRK TRIBUTE SPARKED ‘CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION’ AND CENSORSHIP

The dispute began on September 12, 2025, two days after Kirk was assassinated while speaking at a TPUSA event on Utah Valley University's campus. Stout decided to paint a patriotic message on the school's spirit rock to honor the slain conservative activist's outspoken faith. According to her complaint, Stout called the school's front office and received permission to paint the tribute, as long as it avoided profanity or vulgarity.

The following day, she and two friends painted a heart, an American flag and the words, "Freedom 1776" and "Live Like Kirk—John 11:25" on the rock. Within hours, school officials painted over the rock, according to the complaint. On September 14, Ardrey Kell Principal Susan Nichols sent out a school-wide message saying that the spirit rock had been vandalized with a message that was not authorized, that the student code of conduct had been violated and that law enforcement had been contacted to launch a criminal investigation.

Stout previously told ӣ��Ƶ Digital she was shocked and shaken by the message, but acknowledged to school officials that she had painted the rock, only to be pulled out of class and told she must write a statement admitting what she'd done and was ordered to hand over her cell phone so they could search her call logs.

NORTH CAROLINA SCHOOL DISTRICT TO ISSUE APOLOGY, PAY $20K TO STUDENT SUSPENDED OVER 'ILLEGAL ALIEN' COMMENT

The next day, the school district announced it was changing its speech policy regarding messages written on the rock, saying they must now be "inclusive," be in "good taste," reflect "positive school spirit" and not be political or religious.

Principal Nichols allegedly told Stout's mother the investigation into her daughter had been closed and she would not face any discipline, but the district refused to issue a public statement clearing the student's name.

About a month later, the school district sent a schoolwide message clarifying that the incident was not an act of vandalism, did not violate the student code of conduct and that law enforcement had not been contacted. However, the family said the school board refused to apologize and Stout was ostracized by classmates and faced online bullying and threats over the incident.

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The federal complaint, filed by ADF, asserted that the district weaponized a baseless criminal investigation to retaliate against Stout, violating her First, Fourth, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendment rights.

According to the complaint, the incident reflected a double standard in how the school treated student speech. In 2020, students painted a pro-Black Lives Matter "Black Power" fist on the spirit rock. After other classmates painted over the message, the school board held an emergency meeting and allowed students to repaint the BLM message again, this time with more political messages, including, "No Justice. No Peace," "I can't breathe" and "End police brutality."

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Stout told ӣ��Ƶ Digital she hopes the settlement will ensure the school protects students' constitutional rights.

"I hope they learn that students don't leave their faith or their free speech rights when they walk into school," she said. "I didn't do anything wrong, as they now admit. I was sharing a message I believe in, a message that inspired me, and a message that honored Charlie Kirk by pointing people to the hope for salvation through Jesus Christ. And they made me feel like a criminal for doing this. School officials can't just silence a student because they don't like what the student says or believes."

"I hope this settlement is a wake-up call, not just for my school, but for every school," she added. "And I hope it inspires and empowers students to express their views freely."

ADF Senior Counsel Travis Barham commented, "Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools should be ashamed at how it treated Gabby. She did everything right, and they did everything wrong. She got permission, and she painted an uplifting message of faith. They censored her speech, publicly denounced her, and then punished her for expressing her views. In this country, no student should ever be threatened, investigated, or publicly smeared for expressing her faith. Schools cannot pick and choose which viewpoints can be expressed on campus, and this settlement makes that crystal clear."

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education said it had approved two new policies regarding legal compliance and student free speech at its board meeting on June 9.

"The policy committee along with our legal department are confident we have a policy that provides clarity and guidance for each of our school leaders that allows students to exercise their first amendment rights while minimizing incidents that could cause disruption," Board of Education Vice Chair Gregory "Dee" Rankin said in a statement regarding the updated free speech policy.

He continued by stating, "The Board fully supports students exercising their right to free speech that ensures that schools remain safe places for all of our students and promotes productive civic discourse."

The board also released the following statement, as laid out in the settlement agreement:

"The Board has settled the case of G.S., a minor v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education. The Board has adopted a new Student Free Speech policy that addresses "spirit rocks" and other expressive activities. Although previously communicated to the community on October 11, 2025, the Board reaffirms and clarifies the following: The students’ painting of the Ardrey Kell spirit rock on September 14, 2025, did not violate the Code of Student Conduct or other school system policies in place at the time. It was not an act of vandalism, and the school did not report the incident to law enforcement. The Board regrets that the student had this experience."

FIRST ON FOX: SPLC's tax-exempt status under threat after fiery Capitol Hill hearing

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 12:27:17 -0400

FIRST ON FOX: A left-wing nonprofit accused by the Department of Justice of secretly funding the extremism it claims to combat is facing a new threat from Capitol Hill.

Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, introduced legislation Wednesday that would revoke the Southern Poverty Law Center's (SPLC) tax-exempt status, ramping up pressure on the civil rights nonprofit organization amid a federal probe into alleged financial crimes.

The measure’s introduction comes after Roy vowed Tuesday to target the law center’s tax-exempt status after grilling Bryan Fair, the SPLC's interim chief executive, about its record of targeting mainstream conservative organizations during a contentious oversight hearing.

"The SPLC has built a business in smearing Christian conservatives and profiting from labeling its ideological opponents as ‘extremists’ and ‘hate groups,’" Roy said in a statement obtained by ӣ��Ƶ Digital. "Tax-exempt status should be reserved for charitable organizations serving the public good — not groups engaged in partisan political warfare."

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"The Stop SPLC Act would simply revoke the SPLC’s tax-exempt status and end the special tax benefits it has enjoyed for far too long," he added.

A spokesperson for the nonprofit did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The legislation comes as the SPLC is accused of routing $4.1 million in tax-exempt donor funds to various extremist organizations — including the Ku Klux Klan and the United Klans of America — between 2010 and 2023, using fictitious accounts and committing bank fraud to conceal the payments.

The group has insisted its informant program "saved lives," but federal prosecutors allege hate groups that received the donor money used a portion of it for recruitment purposes and to purchase materials, such as wood for cross burnings and KKK paraphernalia.

Fair has denied that the SPLC did anything wrong and largely declined to discuss the allegations Tuesday.

The law center has 501(c)(3) status as a nonprofit organization, which means financial contributions to the group are tax-deductible.

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Roy’s bill could threaten the group’s flush finances, as donations surged during the period it operated the now-defunct informant program.

"Advancing hatred has become quite profitable for the SPLC, as in 2024, the organization had over $829 million in assets and an endowment of approximately $730.8 million and $120.9 million in revenue," Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wy., said Tuesday. "The bulk of this money comes from the contributions of the SPLC donors."

Turning Point USA, the Family Research Council and Moms for Liberty are among the conservative organizations listed on the law center’s annual "hate map" database alongside neo-Nazi and White supremacist groups.

GOP lawmakers pressed Fair Tuesday about those designations and the notable omission of leftist groups.

"How many leftist anti-Jewish groups do you have listed on your website," Roy asked Fair. "How many extremist Islamic groups do you have?"

Fair did not name an organization that fit either criteria, prompting Roy to suggest that the left-wing nonprofit intentionally targets conservative Christian groups.

"So you think there's a bunch of Islamic groups that are pro-LGBTQ?" the Texas lawmaker then asked Fair, triggering laughs from the hearing room. "Is that the position of the SPLC? I just want to make sure the record is reflecting that."

"We target no group or label … because of its religion," Fair insisted.

Fair also defended the law center’s decision to designate Turning Point, a conservative youth activism powerhouse founded by the late Charlie Kirk, as an extremist organization.

"It is our position that TPUSA expresses views and vilifies other people based on immutable characteristics, exposing them to our listing," Fair told Roy.

Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk slammed Fair’s comments during a post on social media Tuesday.

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"Turning Point USA has, from the beginning, stood for open conversations and respectful debate regardless of creed or color," Kirk, the wife of the late Charlie Kirk, said. "All along, the real hate group is the SPLC, which recklessly sows hate every day with its lies."

Roy has also introduced legislation to revoke the tax-exempt status of the national Muslim advocacy group, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), but the bill has since stalled in committee. Republicans have sharply criticized the nonprofit over alleged ties to terrorism.

Bill Maher to appear in Charlie Kirk documentary, remembers loving his interview with the TPUSA leader

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 20:00:51 -0400

Talk show host Bill Maher revealed on Monday that he will appear in a documentary about slain conservative activist and Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk.

As comedian Jeff Dunham spoke to Maher on "Club Random," he praised his past interview with Kirk as particularly memorable. Kirk, known for engaging in debate with people across the political spectrum, was assassinated during a campus event last September.

Dunham praised the interview, and Maher likewise said that he enjoyed hosting it very much.

"By the way they're doing a documentary and they asked if I would be in it," Maher announced. "I said yes. I'm giving them five minutes after my taping Friday night because - and I told them, ‘Don't expect me to be just saying you know, hagiography about Charlie.’ I liked him as a person. I'm glad I talked to him."

MAHER PRAISES CONSERVATIVES LIKE KIRK FOR PROMOTING DIALOGUE, CONDEMNS FAR LEFT FOR CELEBRATING HIS DEATH

While Kirk’s death caused some of his critics to emerge and dredge up his more controversial or pointed political statements, Maher said they ultimately did not make him a "monster" by any means.

"I do not think he was a monster," he said. "And if you look at his statements, I've read the full statements - of course because everybody is only interested in getting points for their team. They mischaracterized them. But even when I read the full statement, which were accurately characterized, I still disagreed with them. But it wasn't what they presented."

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"Again, it's always in the middle," Maher said. "It wasn't as bad as they said, but I still disagree."

"That’s what I loved about the interview is that is that you sat there and considered things and listened to him, let him talk and it was a really great discussion," Dunham said.

"My little motto here is everybody's a monster [until] you talk to them," Maher responded, as he went on to list multiple famous conservatives he has spoken to on his show.

Maher went on to blast many Democrats for being unwilling to talk with their opposition, including fellow Democrats like himself.

"And the Republicans, they definitely are better at like, ‘Well, we'll talk," Maher said.

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WATCH: SPLC chief doubles down on placing Charlie Kirk's Turning Point USA on 'hate map'

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 15:11:16 -0400

Southern Poverty Law Center head Bryan Fair defended the left-wing organization’s decision to list mainstream conservative groups on its "hate map" during a fiery hearing Tuesday.

Fair, SPLC's interim executive, doubled down on the group's designation of Turning Point USA, a conservative activist organization founded by the late Charlie Kirk, as extremist when pressed by GOP lawmakers. Turning Point was listed alongside White supremacist and neo-Nazi groups in the law center's 2025 "Year in Hate & Extremism" report released Tuesday.

The exchange comes as Republicans scrutinize the law center’s close ties to the Biden administration amid the Department of Justice’s pending criminal case against the nonprofit over alleged financial crimes.

"Will you recant it, or are you going to double down and say that these people, including the martyred Charlie Kirk, in fact, somehow deserve to be on your hate list?" Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., asked Fair.

ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE RETIRES GLOSSARY OF EXTREMIST GROUPS AFTER BACKLASH FOR INCLUDING CHARLIE KIRK'S TPUSA

"Congressman, as I said in my statement," Fair began answering, referring to his opening remarks in which he said he could not address certain topics due to the ongoing criminal probe.

"No, wait a second," Issa interjected. "I heard your statement. I only want an answer to your question in the 11 seconds left. Are you going to recant, yes or no? And if you're not going to, please don't tell me it's because now you're under charges."

"Your organization did it as much as 16 years ago. Will you take back any part of that?" the California lawmaker continued.

Fair replied, "The SPLC will continue to expose hate and extremism."

The nonprofit head also defended Turning Point’s "hate map" designation when questioned by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas.

"It is our position that TPUSA expresses views and vilifies other people based on immutable characteristics, exposing them to our listing," Fair told Roy.

Roy said he would introduce legislation to revoke the law center’s tax-exempt status following the exchange.

INDICTED SPLC CHIEF FACES HOUSE GRILLING OVER ALLEGED SECRET PAYMENTS TO KKK MEMBERS

Turning Point spokesman Andrew Kolvet slammed Fair’s remarks in a post on social media. "Badge of honor," Kolvet wrote in a statement following the exchange. "Screw the SPLC."

The hearing came after the Justice Department filed an 11-count indictment against the law center in April over allegedly defrauding its donors by concealing payments to informants within extremist organizations while publicly professing to combat racism.

Fair has denied any wrongdoing and has argued the DOJ charges are politically motivated.

He also dismissed GOP criticisms that the organization has unfairly labeled conservative groups as extremist while ignoring left-wing groups that espouse antisemitism.

Fair struggled to answer Tuesday when asked by Roy if the law center has labeled any anti-Israel or Islamist groups as extremist.

"Some say we've lost our way," Fair told lawmakers. "That's false. We've never lost our North Star: a fair and just society for every person. All our programs advance that mission."

Democrats largely defended the law center during the contentious hearing.

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"The SPLC is an enduring institutional beacon of hope for millions of people seeking to create a more perfect union," House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., said in his opening statement. "The Trump administration is thus naturally trying to tear it down."

ӣ��Ƶ Digital reached out to TPUSA for comment.

Rhode Island teacher who called slain Charlie Kirk 'garbage' honored in high school yearbook

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 15:02:48 -0400

A Rhode Island high school teacher who sparked outrage after referring to slain Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk as "garbage" following his assassination has been honored in the school's 2026 yearbook, reigniting criticism over the educator's comments and the school's response.

Shortly after Kirk’s public assassination on Sept. 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University during his "American Comeback Tour," Benjamin Fillo, a social studies teacher at Barrington High School in Rhode Island, posted a video online saying that Kirk "hated the LGBTQ community" and "hated women’s rights."

Fillo, who was placed on administrative leave after his video post, also said in a video that Kirk "thought he proved how tough he was with his words ... What a piece of garbage. Look what happens ... Bye, Charlie!"

RHODE ISLAND TEACHER WHO CALLED CHARLIE KIRK 'PIECE OF GARBAGE' SET TO RETURN TO CLASSROOM AFTER SUSPENSION

Fillo subsequently returned to teaching on Dec. 1 despite having violated the district’s social media policy, interim Superintendent Bob Mitchell of Barrington Public Schools said in an email obtained by ӣ��Ƶ Digital.

The yearbook recognition comes months after the teacher's remarks about Kirk circulated online, drawing backlash and criticism.

The recognition reads, in part, "Any student at BHS who has the opportunity to learn from you should consider themselves fortunate. If we've taken away anything from our time with you, it's an understanding of what good can come from approaching life with the same effervescence and dedication that you bring to every class you teach. If we had to ask for one last lesson, however, it would be on how to dress as fly as the one and only fashion icon of BHS."

The dedication was signed by "Karthik and Nachi on behalf of the Class of 2026," and in a statement to ӣ��Ƶ Digital, a spokesperson for Barrington Public Schools said the dedication is determined by the senior class.

RI SCHOOL WANTS TO CHARGE MOM $117K TO SEE CURRICULUM FROM TEACHER WHO CALLED CHARLIE KIRK ‘PIECE OF GARBAGE’

"The Barrington High School yearbook dedication is voted on exclusively by the senior class as part of the student-led production of the yearbook," the spokesperson said. "As we celebrate the Class of 2026 and the conclusion of another successful school year, our focus remains on recognizing the accomplishments, growth, and contributions of our students."

Heather and Jarrod Ryan, who have a son at Barrington High School, told ӣ��Ƶ Digital that they are "deeply disappointed by the selection of a teacher who has openly promoted political violence against a specific party."

"This stands in stark contrast to the values of integrity and respect we uphold," they added. "The dedication on the yearbook would have been better suited for the retiring vice principal, who has spent many hours, many days, and a long time with the kids and the community, earning high accolades and deep respect."

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ӣ��Ƶ Digital reached out to Fillo for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

Students for Life spokeswoman defiant after Antifa 'death cult' mobbed her, celebrated Charlie Kirk's murder

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 15:00:23 -0400

A Students for Life spokeswoman was mobbed by a group of radical Antifa agitators who celebrated Charlie Kirk's assassination during Turning Point USA's Women's Leadership Summit in Texas over the weekend.

Lydia Taylor Davis saw the deranged group outside the San Antonio convention center where the event was being held and said they were harassing women coming in and out of the venue. She grabbed her microphone to start a conversation with the group — and that's when things got chaotic.

"I went over with my microphone to start asking questions, to have peaceful dialogue, but it turns out that the left is incapable of peaceful dialogue, and it quickly resulted in screaming where they called me a Nazi [and] a fascist," Davis told ӣ��Ƶ Digital.

In the video, one agitator can be seen intentionally and repeatedly coughing on Davis, another blared a siren directly in front of her face and a third threw water on her.

The group of instigators hurled graphic insults, some of them sexual in nature, at her.

ANTIFA VIOLENCE EXPOSES UC BERKELEY’S HYPOCRISY ON FREE SPEECH AND TOLERANCE

"Oink, oink, piggy piggy, we don't want you in our city," the group chanted during the ordeal.

Davis was most shocked by the outright support for and open mocking of Kirk's assassination. Kirk lost his life on Sept. 10 when he was shot and killed while speaking at a Turning Point USA event on the campus of Utah Valley University.

"People mocked the death of Charlie Kirk. One Antifa protester dressed himself or herself as Charlie Kirk with a mask and everything and mocked his death by impersonating it," she said.

BOB VYLAN RESPONDS TO CHARLIE KIRK'S ASSASSINATION WITH 'REST IN PISS' COMMENT DURING HIS SHOW

Davis told ӣ��Ƶ Digital that she wasn't surprised by the Antifa mob's violent antics.

"It was very hard and tragic and to see this weekend protesters mocking [Kirk's] death, to see someone fall over pretending to be him, dressed up as him, mocking a father of young children who was assassinated for free speech," she said.

"It is ironic that they were calling me a fascist while celebrating someone who was assassinated for having free speech, for sharing his opinions. That is fascism."

In the video, a person wearing a head covering resembling Kirk stood next to Davis. The person under the mask said that they support assassinations.

DAVID MARCUS: DEMOCRATS MUST STOP THEIR DEADLY ANTI-FASCISM COSPLAY

"I support assassinating fascists," the person said.

They balked when asked what a fascist is, saying: "Girl, I'm not here to have this conversation with you."

‘FEARLESS’ TOUR TAKES CHARLIE KIRK’S FREE SPEECH MISSION TO COLLEGES NATIONWIDE

One man screamed, "F--- Charlie Kirk," only inches from Davis' face.

"They were trying to shut down the event, and it was very disturbing to see that for me as someone who loved Charlie Kirk, and he was a great partner of us in the pro-life movement," said Davis. "And so it was devastating, but again, just a reminder of the culture of death that we are facing and the importance of our work as we fight for life and fight for truth in this very hostile environment."

Davis acknowledged that her work in the conservative movement is dangerous, and revealed that she brings security guards and wears a bulletproof vest at events.

40 DAYS FOR LIFE SEES SPIKE IN VOLUNTEERS AFTER CHARLIE KIRK'S ASSASSINATION

"Whether it's getting involved with Turning Point or Students for Life of America, everyone should be getting involved, and I think the violence of the left shows how urgent this is," she said. "We are truly dealing with a culture of death, and so there is a place for everyone in the pro-life movement, and we need everyone involved urgently."

She also said the work Students for Life is doing genuinely changes hearts and minds.

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"I have people all the time become pro-life because they see these videos of the violence of the pro-war movement, the violence of the left, and they realize that that's not the side of love and tolerance that they're branded as," she said.

"It's amazing to be involved in this movement that is truly the side of truth and peace, in a side that can actually have dialogue and disagreements without screaming and yelling at each other. I think it just goes to show that we are the winning side, that we don't have to use those violent, angry tactics."

Utah prosecutors ask judge to shut down delay tactics in Charlie Kirk assassination case

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 09:11:19 -0400

Utah prosecutors are asking the judge overseeing the case against Charlie Kirk's accused assassin to reject a defense effort to further postpone a preliminary hearing nearly nine months after the suspect's arrest.

Lawyers for 22-year-old Tyler Robinson have asked Judge Tony Graf Jr. to push back the routine hearing as they appeal his denial of their motion to ban news cameras from the high-profile case.

"Defendant cannot show that a stay is necessary to prevent additional prejudice from media coverage of his preliminary hearing, when this Court has already found that he failed to show that a public preliminary hearing would prejudice him at all," Deputy Utah County Attorney Christopher Ballard wrote in a court filing Saturday.

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Robinson's attorneys filed an appeal with the Utah Supreme Court and then asked Graf to push back the hearing while they await a response.

"Nor can Defendant show that he is likely to prevail on appeal (assuming one is granted), or that a stay is not adverse to the public interest in the prompt disposition of criminal trials," Ballard added. "Moreover, there is no need for this Court to stay the proceedings pending disposition of the petition for interlocutory appeal. If the Utah Supreme Court concludes that such a stay is warranted, that court can stay the proceedings."

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Robinson was arrested in September 2025 in connection with the assassination of Charlie Kirk during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University.

Much of the evidence prosecutors plan to use has already been revealed publicly, according to Ballard, and Robinson's defense hasn't proven a "realistic likelihood of prejudice" if the hearing is open to the public, he added.

The preliminary hearing, an early step in many criminal cases, has not yet been held, and as a result, Robinson has not yet entered a plea.

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The hearing requires prosecutors to show they had probable cause to arrest the defendant, thereby allowing the case to proceed toward trial.

The hearing was most recently delayed from the week of May 16 to the week of July 6.

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Typically, to be granted a stay in a Utah criminal case, the defense must show a likelihood that their appeal will prevail, a likelihood of "irreparable harm" that outweighs any harm to any other party — and that the stay "is not adverse to the public interest," according to Ballard's filing.

CHARLIE KIRK’S WIDOW ERIKA KIRK DEMANDS SPEEDY TRIAL, ALLEGING 'UNDUE DELAY' FROM TYLER ROBINSON DEFENSE

He argued that Robinson's lawyers haven't met any of those criteria.

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"Defendant must satisfy all three elements," he wrote. "He hasn’t satisfied even one. In fact, he ignores this rule."

Not only do delays hurt the prosecution, Ballard argued, they also hurt Erika Kirk, Charlie's widow and the designated victim's advocate in the case. She has invoked the victim's right to a speedy trial under Utah law.

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Attorneys for two groups of media outlets, one of which includes ӣ��Ƶ and ӣ��Ƶ Digital, are also expected to file a response to Robinson's appeal this week.

In a separate, 51-page filing, Robinson's defense also asked the judge to block hearsay testimony at the hearing, arguing that Utah laws that permit it are unconstitutional.

Texas man allegedly threatened to bomb Turning Point USA event and kill CEO Erika Kirk in online posts

Thu, 28 May 2026 14:21:39 -0400

A Texas man allegedly made online threats directed toward an upcoming Turning Point USA event and the CEO of the conservative nonprofit, Erika Kirk.

Jacob Wenske, 26, is charged with a third-degree felony count of making a terroristic threat involving public fear of serious bodily injury or public disruption.

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An investigation into Wenske began after a local newspaper published a Facebook post promoting the TPUSA Women’s Leadership Summit scheduled for June, which features Kirk as a keynote speaker. The event is set to take place June 5–7 at the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter on the River Walk.

"I know exactly where to bomb," Wenske allegedly replied to the post.

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In a separate post within the same thread, Wenske wrote, "I can’t wait to be the valet for her escort," authorities said, according to a report from KSAT-TV.

"Death to Erika Kirk and every single speaker there!! America will live on without those scum on this earth. Every Christian nationalist shall perish in the bombing that will take place at every single Turning Point rally and event," he allegedly wrote in a subsequent email.

In a statement to ӣ��Ƶ Digital, TPUSA spokesperson Matt Shupe said the organization takes all threats seriously.

"The safety of our attendees, speakers, and staff is always our top priority. All TPUSA events include enhanced, multi-layered security measures enforced by both private security and local police,"he said. "We refuse to let threats silence us. We look forward to a successful and inspiring gathering June 5–7 in San Antonio for 2,500+ ladies attending the Women's Leadership Summit!"

ӣ��Ƶ Digital has reached out to the Bexar County Sheriff's Office for comment.

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Erika Kirk, who took over the leadership role at TPUSA following the public assassination of her husband and co-founder, Charlie Kirk, at a TPUSA event in Utah last year, has faced a wave of threats since taking the helm.

In April, she canceled a planned appearance at a TPUSA event at the University of Georgia after receiving what organizers described as "very serious threats."

TPUSA reporter says family charged with assaulting her is now trying to silence her with restraining orders

Wed, 27 May 2026 20:00:39 -0400

TPUSA reporter Savanah Hernandez says the family charged after an altercation with her at an anti-ICE protest has now filed restraining orders against her and is attempting to stop her from discussing them publicly on social media.

In a new video posted Tuesday, Hernandez gave an update to the case, after a federal grand jury indicted Minnesota family Christopher, Deyanna and Paige Ostroushko last month in connection with the April 11 incident outside the Whipple Federal Building in Minnesota.

Hernandez was there covering an anti-ICE protest when she said the crowd turned hostile after learning she was affiliated with Turning Point USA and that the Ostroushkos assaulted her as she attempted to leave the area.

Chris Ostroushko, his wife DeYanna and daughter Paige have all pleaded not guilty to the charges. Hernandez said each family member also filed separate restraining orders against her, which she characterized as full of "lies" portraying her as the aggressor, including describing her as 5'9" tall when she says she is actually 5'4".

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Hernandez claimed the restraining orders are an attempt to prevent her from speaking publicly about the family or reporting in Minnesota in the future.

"All three of them have basically been alleging that I started a harassment and doxing campaign against them, and that I am continuing to engage in this behavior by reporting on them," she said. "And what these restraining orders are essentially trying to do is get me to stop being able to post about anything or quite frankly step foot in Minnesota."

She added, "Now, on top of Chris stating that I am waging this war against the family, he also is requesting that the court straight-up bans me and any of my family members from entering an entire county in Minnesota where he lives. He also wants me to be prohibited from the Whipple ICE Facility."

MINNESOTA FATHER WHO SHOVED CONSERVATIVE REPORTER AT ANTI-ICE PROTEST SAYS FAMILY IS 'ABSOLUTELY NOT VIOLENT'

Hernandez also said Paige Ostroushko’s petition accused her of backhanding Paige twice and punching her in the face.

"None of that happened. That's actually what she did to me. And it's all on camera," Hernandez said.

Hernandez further claimed Chris Ostroushko’s petition falsely accused her of publishing the family’s private information online.

WOMAN SEEN ON VIDEO ALLEGEDLY BLOCKING MINNESOTA ICE OPERATION WITH CAR AS AGITATORS SURROUND AGENTS

"Not once have I posted this family's private home address, phone numbers, and since the beginning of this case, I have continued to have the mindset, and still do, that I want to see the justice system play out," she said.

"It's why I filed a civil suit," she continued. "It's why I was extremely happy and grateful when the DOJ stepped in and brought this forward in front of a federal grand jury, who did find probable cause for those charges."

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Hernandez also said police officers have visited her home multiple times to serve the restraining orders.

"Chris and DeYanna were already granted theirs and now I have to go fight in court and prove that what they are alleging in here is false, which should be very easy because there is not one tweet in existence of me doxing them or even calling for other people to go and hurt these people in any way, shape, or form," she said. "But that is the level of delusion that we are dealing with here."

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Attorney James Cook, who represents the Ostroushko family, told ӣ��Ƶ Digital that he cannot provide comment on the content of Hernandez's video because there is pending litigation.

During a previous court hearing, an attorney for the Ostroushkos told the court they planned to seek a gag order on Hernandez, according to FOX 9.

Before the federal indictment, Chris Ostroushko defended his family’s actions in a podcast interview, saying, "We are absolutely not violent people."

GOP veteran defeats populist candidate in one of America's most conservative districts

Tue, 26 May 2026 21:04:46 -0400

Republican veteran strategist Tom Sell defeated populist, MAGA-style candidate Abraham Enriquez in a primary runoff race in a Texas congressional district known as one of the most conservative in the country.

Sell, a Republican strategist with years of agricultural consulting experience, beat Enriquez on election night, earning 65% of the vote in the solid red 19th Congressional District in West Texas.

A fifth-generation West Texan and businessman, Sell styled himself as an "America-first … champion for rural America."

He was endorsed by several key House Republican leaders, including Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La.; Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn.; and Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan, R-Ohio. Sell also earned endorsements from younger congressional Republicans Brandon Gill of Texas, and Anna Paulina Luna of Florida.

SCOOP: HOUSE GOP CAMPAIGN ARM LAUNCHES ‘MAGA MAJORITY’ PROGRAM TO BOOST TRUMP-ALIGNED CANDIDATES

Enriquez, a young candidate who cast himself as the anti-establishment contender in the race, earned 34% of the vote.

Enriquez, who founded the conservative Hispanic outreach organization Bienvenido, ran on a "pro-Trump," America-first platform. He was endorsed by Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, Turning Point Action and the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).

President Donald Trump did not make an endorsement in the race.

HOUSE CANDIDATE PREDICTS HISTORIC RISE OF ‘NEW GENERATION’ IN CONGRESS AS PARTIES TARGET KEY DEMOGRAPHIC

District 19, which includes vast swaths of West Texas, including Lubbock and Abilene, is considered a Republican stronghold. As a result, Sell's primary victory virtually guarantees he will succeed outgoing Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, who is retiring from Congress.

Arrington, 53, had been endorsed for re-election by Trump, but he decided not to run again. In a statement announcing his decision, Arrington said, "I have a firm conviction, much like our founders did, that public service is a lifetime commitment, but public office is and should be a temporary stint in stewardship, not a career."

TOP HOUSE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN REVEALS HE WON'T SEEK RE-ELECTION IN 2026

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Sell will face Democratic candidate Kyle Rable, an Army Reserve officer who ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.

Viral video shows young woman dancing near Charlie Kirk assassination site

Tue, 26 May 2026 16:05:41 -0400

A viral TikTok video is sparking outrage online after showing a young woman dancing at the spot where Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was assassinated at Utah Valley University.

The TikTok, posted May 18 by the account, "Aela," @bbdollbbface, shows a young woman in a blue shirt and white tennis shoes performing a TikTok dance near where Kirk was assassinated on Sept. 10.

The caption on the TikTok post, which has more than 45,000 likes, reads, "Paying my disrespects."

CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATION: TIMELINE OF UTAH CAMPUS SHOOTING DETAILS ATTACK, MANHUNT FOR SUSPECT

Some TikTok users replied to the post, voicing disgust, with one writing, "This is so incredibly disrespectful."

Another identified as Katherine wrote, "TikTok is supposed to be silly dances, no."

Many comments, however, were positive.

One, identified as Lilo, wrote, "As a mother, not your mom, I’m proud of you."

TPUSA CONDEMNS VIRAL TIKTOK VIDEOS USING SOUND EFFECT FROM CHARLIE KIRK'S ASSASSINATION

Another wrote, "Paying your disrespect, girl I love you."

Another user added, "Beautiful."

Kirk, the 31-year-old founder and CEO of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed Sept. 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University during his "American Comeback Tour".

He founded Turning Point USA in 2012 as an 18-year-old with encouragement from Tea Party activist Bill Montgomery.

CHARLIE KIRK ANSWERED 'HOW DO YOU WANT TO BE REMEMBERED' LESS THAN 3 MONTHS BEFORE KILLING

A Utah Valley University spokesperson told ӣ��Ƶ Digital that officials were aware of the video.

In a statement to ӣ��Ƶ Digital, TPUSA spoksperson Andrew Kolvet said, "Celebrating the assassination of an innocent human being, who was also a devoted father and husband, is vile and disgusting behavior, but it's also why assassination culture is rising on the political left."

Kolvet added, "This is part of the permission structure online that has made it possible. We were unaware of this video, but regret that we now are. Hopefully she wakes up one day and feels rightfully embarrassed by what she's become."

ӣ��Ƶ Digital also reached out to the account that posted the video for comment.

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Tennessee man jailed 37 days over Facebook meme mocking Charlie Kirk's death wins $850K settlement

Wed, 20 May 2026 20:21:35 -0400

A Tennessee man who was jailed for more than a month after refusing to take down a Facebook meme poking fun at the assassination of Charlie Kirk will be paid $850,000 as part of a settlement with officials.

Larry Bushart, a 61-year-old retired police officer, spent 37 days behind bars under a $2 million bond before authorities dropped the felony charge against him in October.

While in jail, he lost his post-retirement job and missed both his wedding anniversary and the birth of his granddaughter, according to a federal lawsuit Bushart filed against Perry County, Perry County Sheriff Nick Weems and the investigator who obtained his arrest warrant.

"I am pleased my First Amendment rights have been vindicated," Bushart said in a Wednesday statement announcing the settlement. The statement was provided by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), the organization that helped represent him in the case.

"The people’s freedom to participate in civil discourse is crucial to a healthy democracy. I am looking forward to moving on and spending time with my family," he added.

BABYLON BEE TOUTS LEGAL WIN OVER HAWAII GOVERNMENT'S 'WAR AGAINST POLITICAL MEMES AND SATIRE' IN FEDERAL COURT

ӣ��Ƶ Digital has reached out to Perry County Mayor John Carroll for comment.

Bushart was arrested in September, after he refused to remove a Facebook meme that joked about Kirk being killed while speaking to college students in Utah.

The meme that led to his arrest featured an image of President Donald Trump alongside the words, "We have to get over it," captioned with, "This seems relevant today..." The meme explained that the quote was originally said by Trump in 2024, following a school shooting at Perry High School in Iowa.

PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS FACE BACKLASH FOR SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS MOCKING CHARLIE KIRK’S ASSASSINATION

However, the arrest warrant was based on the "absurd notion" that the meme could be interpreted as a threat against Perry County High School in Tennessee, FIRE said.

Furthermore, the organization noted that Bushart did not create or alter the meme.

Weems told news outlets that the meme did not actually lead investigators to believe there was a real threat. However, he stated that the case hinged on how some people could potentially interpret it as a threat to a local school.

"No one should be hauled off to jail in the dark of night over a harmless meme just because the authorities disagree with its message," said FIRE senior attorney Adam Steinbaugh. "We’re pleased that Larry has been compensated for this injustice, but local law enforcement never should have forced him to endure this ordeal in the first place."

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FIRE noted that hundreds of Americans have been censored for their online speech following Kirk’s assassination. The group currently represents Monica Weeks, a public servant who was fired by the state for a Facebook post criticizing Kirk shortly after his death.

Berkeley accused of 'playing favorites' by withholding police footage from riot at Rob Schneider event

Tue, 19 May 2026 17:00:09 -0400

A legal watchdog group has filed suit against Berkeley, California, accusing city officials of "playing favorites" and withholding police bodycam footage from a violent riot tied to a Turning Point USA event last fall at the University of California, Berkeley campus.

The lawsuit, filed by the Center for American Liberty (CAL), claims the city violated the California Public Records Act by withholding tactical deployment plans, bodycam footage and dispatch logs tied to the November 2025 event featuring comedian Rob Schneider.

Agitators gathered outside the event where Schneider and Christian author Dr. Frank Turek were speaking inside. Amid the crowds, physical altercations broke out, with attendees bloodied.

Last year’s event was part of TPUSA’s "This Is the Turning Point Tour" and came just two months after the group’s founder, Charlie Kirk, was shot and killed at Utah Valley University.

INSIDE THE CHAOS OF BLOODY BERKELEY AS PROTESTERS GO WILD DURING TURNING POINT USA EVENT

Internal police emails unsealed as part of the lawsuit’s exhibits show officers reported having to "physically pull" brawlers apart while fending off a hostile crowd trying to "interfere with the arrests." Multiple officers were injured and at least two people were taken into custody.

Center for American Liberty CEO Mark Trammell said in a statement to ӣ��Ƶ Digital that after already taking action against university officials, the group was now escalating its legal campaign directly to municipal leadership.

"The Center for American Liberty has already taken action against Berkeley officials, and now we are going after the City itself to uncover what the police and city leadership did, or failed to do, while conservative speakers and attendees were threatened, assaulted, and blocked from exercising their constitutional rights at the Turning Point USA event featuring Rob Schneider," Trammell said.

He noted that witness accounts describe fights breaking out, bottles being thrown and attendees not being able to enter the venue. Trammell called it a "direct threat" to public safety and free speech.

"Berkeley cannot allow mobs to intimidate citizens because of their political beliefs and then hide the truth from the public afterward," he added. "If city officials failed to protect these speakers and attendees, or deliberately tried to conceal what happened, the Center for American Liberty will expose it and hold every responsible official accountable."

DOJ LAUNCHES INVESTIGATION INTO UC BERKELEY UNREST OUTSIDE TURNING POINT USA EVENT

In April, Schneider spoke to ӣ��Ƶ Digital about his experience during the event, noting he heard a "device that sound[ed] like gunshots."

"To allow the incendiary rioters to raise the temperature up," Schneider said. "It angers me, but it also saddens me."

The comedian has been supportive of CAL’s legal actions, publicly backing their previous lawsuit against UC Berkeley over the alleged stonewalling of records about the event.

"It’s not just Cal Berkeley," Schneider said at the time. "They think they’re justified in silencing conservative voices. Unfortunately, it goes beyond silencing to advocating violence and to, I would say, tangentially okaying violence."

The comedian added that the local law enforcement response missed the mark, adding the Berkeley Police Department was "not as helpful as they could have been." He argued that people with opposing views are now being dehumanized and advocated for people to "confront evil."

"As Charlie Kirk said many, many times, when the conversations stop, the violence begins," Schneider said. "What can we do to stop it? We have to confront evil. And we have to hold people accountable."

TEXAS TECH STUDENT ARRESTED, EXPELLED AFTER VIDEO SHOWS HER 'MOCKING' CHARLIE KIRK VIGIL: OFFICIALS

According to the latest filing, CAL accuses the city of stalling its request for records before trying to close the matter with a nine-page PDF of emails. CAL argues that is not enough and says the officer footage and operational logs it requested remain withheld.

After the event, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Harmeet Dhillon announced the Department of Justice would be investigating, writing on X: "@CivilRights will investigate what happened here, and I see several issues of serious concern regarding campus and local security and Antifa’s ability to operate with impunity in [California]."

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ӣ��Ƶ Digital has reached out to the City of Berkeley and the Berkeley Police Department for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

First on Fox: Chloe Cole vows to return to UW after canceling appearance over alleged Antifa threats

Thu, 14 May 2026 07:00:01 -0400

FIRST ON FOX: Chloe Cole is speaking out after canceling a University of Washington speech over alleged Antifa threats, while vowing to reschedule the event as campus tensions grow increasingly dangerous.

"We started having these threats from different groups like Antifa," Cole told ӣ��Ƶ Digital in an interview Wednesday, adding tensions peaked in the days before the event.

On Sunday, a 19-year-old University of Washington student who was identified as a transgender woman was stabbed to death in an off-campus housing facility, local outlet KING 5 reported.

DETRANSITIONER CHLOE COLE ACCUSES MEDIA OF ‘TRYING TO SUPPRESS’ COVERAGE OF TRANSGENDER SHOOTERS

"I don't want anybody to die," Cole said. "I don't want the violence to continue. And I can't believe that, in the wake of such a horrific crime, people can even think about continuing that violence. There's no justification for it."

Cole, a detransitioner who went through the process of transitioning from female to male between the ages of 12 and 16, was scheduled to speak Wednesday at the University of Washington as part of TPUSA’s "Pick Up the Mic" initiative.

"There were local Antifa groups that were actually scheduling these large-scale protests, and there were so many people who I saw online, just out in the open, who were saying things like, 'I hope you get Kirked,'" Cole said.

A student group, UW Divest News, urged protests, calling Cole a "transphobic right-wing grifter" and encouraging students to pressure the university to cancel the event.

RILEY GAINES SAYS 'LITERAL HUMAN FECES' THROWN IN PROTEST OF TURNING POINT USA AT UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON

"This event was going to be another one of those events where I talk about my experience about how to tackle these issues," she said.

Cole continued, "I do worry about my personal safety and I do regularly receive threats of all sorts, but after this event, I've had so many people just messaging me from, emailing me all over, telling me that whatever violence would have happened at the event, I would deserve to be subjected to it."

For Cole, the reality that some people were using the murder of the University of Washington student that she had nothing to do with as a justification for further violence is "egregious."

UNIVERSITY RESEARCHER CALLS FOR ASSASSINATION OF CONSERVATIVE VOICES IN SOCIAL MEDIA POST

"I've had a lot of students say, ‘Out of respect, you should shut down this event. You shouldn't be speaking here at all because somebody died. And it's your rhetoric that continues the deaths of transgender people,’" Cole said. "I've seen more people connect me to this murder that I did not do than people calling for an investigation, to find the perpetrator, to find the monster who did this."

Cole said that people seem to care more about ideology and politics than treating people well and that she thinks more should be done to protect people like herself who face death threats for speaking their mind.

"I'm not afraid of these people," she added.

DEFIANT TPUSA LEADER WON'T QUIT DESPITE CHAPTER FACING HARASSMENT, HOSTILITY AFTER KIRK ASSASSINATION

The women’s rights advocate said that she is not allowing herself to be discouraged despite the situation.

"I have a heart for these people," Cole said. "I want them to know that there is another way out for them. And I used to be that radical myself. But it's not something that's discouraging me, because I know there's always going to be another opportunity. It's something I'm going to keep praying on. And I — for as long as I feel called to do this — I will continue speaking on campus."

In a statement to ӣ��Ƶ Digital, a spokesperson for the University of Washington said that, "The national TPUSA organization made the decision to cancel the event that was scheduled for today," adding that the "UW Student Activities Office leadership was also in contact with the UW chapter of TPUSA about the appropriateness of the timing of such an event given the recent killing of a member of our LGBTQIA+ community. But, again, the decision was made by the national TPUSA organization."

The spokesperson also said that "no suspect has been identified and no motive for this crime has been established," and that the Seattle Police Department is leading the homicide investigation.

Katelyn Seratt, Turning Point USA chapter president at the University of Washington, told ӣ��Ƶ Digital in a statement, "As many in the Seattle area have heard, a transgender University of Washington student was tragically murdered on Sunday night. The University of Washington chapter of Turning Point USA condemns this horrific act of violence in the strongest possible terms. No one should ever be subjected to such senseless brutality. Our thoughts and condolences are with the victim’s family and friends."

Seratt continued, "In light of this tragedy and by an overwhelming surge of violent threats directed at our chapter, threats that appear deliberately designed to falsely associate our peaceful event with the murder, we have made the difficult decision to postpone our upcoming event with Chloe Cole."

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"TPUSA at UW is not leaving campus," she added. "We remain fully committed to promoting free speech, open dialogue, and intellectual diversity at the University of Washington. We look forward to rescheduling this important conversation at the earliest appropriate time."

Detransitioner Chloe Cole cancels UW speech after alleged Antifa threats

Wed, 13 May 2026 12:25:25 -0400

Detransitioner Chloe Cole announced Tuesday she is canceling a scheduled University of Washington speech after citing alleged threats from Antifa.

"Antifa has assembled a local militia, in their own words, to shut down this event," Cole said in a Tuesday video announcement.

"Their actions, their explicit threats on my life, have raised this event to national attention, a level of attention our security team and our PD are frankly unprepared for," she added.

RILEY GAINES SAYS 'LITERAL HUMAN FECES' THROWN IN PROTEST OF TURNING POINT USA AT UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON

Cole, a detransitioner who went through the process of transitioning from female to male between the ages of 12 and 16, was set to speak Wednesday at the University of Washington in Kane 210 as part of TPUSA’s "Pick Up the Mic" initiative.

At the age of 15, Cole underwent hormones and a double mastectomy.

In a post on Instagram, UW Divest News, a pro-Palestinian group, urged students to protest the Turning Point USA chapter event with Cole, calling her a "transphobic right-wing grifter."

The post instructed protesters to "bring flags, drums, or anything to make some noise! Email UW admin to cancel the event and ban Turning Point USA from campus! WE WILL NOT TOLERATE HATE GROUPS ON CAMPUS! WE LOVE OUR TRANS SIBLINGS! 🏳️‍⚧️ FREE PALESTINE! 🇵🇸"

CHARLIE KIRK WARNED ‘ASSASSINATION CULTURE IS SPREADING ON THE LEFT’ IN EERIE ONLINE POST MONTHS BEFORE MURDER

In her video announcement, Cole said she was taking the alleged threats more seriously since the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed on Sept. 10 while he was speaking at an event at Utah Valley University for TPUSA’s American Comeback Tour.

"Before Charlie Kirk's assassination, I think I would have been less careful," Cole said. "But the times have changed and speaking on a university campus in 2026 can come with deadly consequences. We are postponing this event because of this reality."

Cole continued, "But there is a difference between being brave and being stupid. This is not a win for Antifa because truth will always win. Christ will always prevail. God created each and every single one of us in his image, and there are only two sexes. That is the exact message I was going to take to University of Washington tomorrow. I will be back. Not just at UW, but to many campuses across the country. Because once conversations stop, that is when the violence begins."

TOP NEW YORK HOSPITAL TO END TRANSGENDER PROGRAM FOR MINORS

In a Wednesday post, UW Divest News celebrated Cole’s cancellation, writing, "Turning Point USA bends to student power by cancelling their event with a transphobic agitator tomorrow. Join us tomorrow at 6 p.m. outside of Kane Hall to celebrate this win and make sure they know not to return."

In a statement to ӣ��Ƶ Digital, Andrew Kolvet, TPUSA spokesperson, said, "We’re incredibly proud of our student leaders, the local chapter, and Chloe, all of whom did everything in their power to push forward with the event, and when it became clear they could not do so safely, committed immediately to rescheduling."

Kolvet added, "There’s been a lot of debate in the media about whether political violence is in fact a 'both sides' issue, and yet TPUSA continues to face violence and threats of violence from the radical left when we attempt to peacefully assemble and debate ideas. Words are not violence. The truth is not violence. Violence is violence, and right now the vast majority of it in this country is coming from a militant cadre of Antifa, Transtifa, and Pro-Palestine aligned groups who have completely abandoned the American ideals of open debate and dialogue and have turned instead to violent extremism."

In a statement to ӣ��Ƶ Digital, a spokesperson for the University of Washington said that "the national TPUSA organization made the decision to cancel the event that was scheduled for today. You would have to ask them why they made that decision."

The spokesperson added that, "UW develops security plans for permitted events on a case-by-case basis, including the TPUSA event featuring Nick Freitas just last week that was held without incident or interruption, and was planning accordingly for the event that had been scheduled for today."

ӣ��Ƶ Digital reached out to UW Divest News for comment.

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TPUSA CEO Erika Kirk wishes happy anniversary to slain husband Charlie Kirk in the afterlife

Fri, 08 May 2026 17:47:47 -0400

Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk wished her late husband a happy anniversary in a video shared on Friday.

"Even though our kids won’t see our love ‘grow old together’ from an earthly stand point; they’ll see it from a Heavenly one," she said in a social media post on the X platform.

"And I’ll tell them of our love story any moment I can. Happy Anniversary to the love of my life."

The video shared footage of their engagement and wedding, with audio from Charlie, Erika and their child.

UNIVERSITIES CRACK DOWN ON EMPLOYEE SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS CELEBRATING, DEFENDING KIRK'S DEATH

Numerous other accounts on the X platform shared their condolences and praise for the couple, telling Erika how much they miss her late husband.

Kirk was unanimously elected the conservative group’s new CEO after the assassination last year of husband Charlie Kirk.

Over half a year later, his death is still a frequent topic during the national debate over political violence.

HILLSDALE LAUNCHES ‘LEARN LIKE CHARLIE’ CAMPAIGN TO URGE AMERICANS TO STUDY THE BIBLE, CONSTITUTION

After the attack at the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) Dinner, where Erika was present, she delivered an address on her show.

"Our country has become unrecognizable; these people have perverted the truth to the point that they motivated the murder of my husband," she said. "They have continuously tried to assassinate the president, and anyone who stands in their way is labeled ‘hateful,’ ‘racist,’ ‘fascist and every other trigger word that is grossly dishonest."

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ӣ��Ƶ' Brian Flood contributed to this report.

He fled communism. Now this California mayor is honoring Charlie Kirk and refusing to back down

Fri, 08 May 2026 06:00:28 -0400

A California city mayor is defending his city’s decision to install honorary street signs bearing Charlie Kirk's name near City Hall after some liberal residents criticized the move.

Westminster Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen told ӣ��Ƶ Digital that Americans are "lucky we have the freedom of speech here, and we all have to respect that."

"Nobody should be murdered or assassinated because of promoting freedom of speech," Nguyen said.

After Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was killed while speaking on a Utah college campus last September, Nguyen proposed redesignating portions of All American Way as Charlie Kirk Way.

'ARE YOU EFFING KIDDING ME?' CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS REACT TO STREET BEING RENAMED AFTER CHARLIE KIRK

The Westminster City Council approved the proposal in a 4-1 vote in November, and the signs were put up last week in the Orange County city, sparking outrage from some liberal residents who called Kirk a "hateful" figure.

According to ABC7, the redesignation does not officially change the street name or addresses and instead applies to physical street signs between Westminster Boulevard and 13th Street.

Nguyen said the signs were not meant to be political but were intended to celebrate Kirk’s commitment to free speech, a value the mayor said he deeply cherishes as a Vietnam refugee who fled communism.

Nguyen told ӣ��Ƶ Digital that after the fall of Saigon in 1975, his father was taken to a "re-education camp" which was actually a prison, leaving him to help support his family. He later escaped to the United States, where he said he was given a second chance at life.

CHARLIE KIRK DIED FOR FREE SPEECH AND UNIVERSITIES STILL HAVE NOTHING TO SAY

"I was able to live American Dream," he said, describing how he went on to achieve multiple degrees and work as an engineer for McDonnell Douglas, which later became part of Boeing.

"If I were in Vietnam, I wouldn't have a chance to be who I am today," he said.

Nguyen said he wanted to honor Kirk because of his commitment to fostering free speech among young people, as well as his patriotism and Christian values.

CHRISTIAN LEADERS HONOR CHARLIE KIRK’S ‘PURPOSE AND CONVICTION’ AFTER FATAL SHOOTING

He acknowledged the signs have drawn some criticism but said he has received mostly positive feedback from people in the community and from others around the country.

Nguyen pointed to Westminster’s large Vietnamese American population, saying many residents understand the importance of free speech because they or their families fled communist rule.

"I think that the right thing to do is to honor somebody who lived the American Dream and who lived and promoted the rights that we have here," Nguyen said.

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Nguyen is currently running to represent California’s 45th congressional district, saying he believes the community's concerns about taxes, public safety and businesses leaving California are not being addressed.

California’s 45th District is holding a primary on June 2, 2026, and Nguyen is one of several candidates in the race.

TPUSA condemns viral TikTok videos using sound effect from Charlie Kirk's assassination

Sun, 03 May 2026 17:00:46 -0400

A TikTok trend using audio that references the assassination of Charlie Kirk in outfit transition videos is drawing backlash from Turning Point USA and commentators across the political spectrum.

Turning Point USA issued a statement on Saturday condemning the trend and calling for the audio to be removed from the platform.

"Turning Point USA condemns in the strongest terms the TikTok audio trend that uses or references the assassination of our founder, Charlie Kirk, for entertainment," Turning Point USA shared in the statement.

The videos, which have circulated across social media in recent days, show users incorporating the audio into outfit transition clips, a format widely used on TikTok.

UNIVERSITIES CRACK DOWN ON EMPLOYEE SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS CELEBRATING, DEFENDING KIRK'S DEATH

Turning Point USA said the trend trivializes violence and disrespects the reality of political attacks.

"Charlie Kirk was the victim of a real act of political violence. Turning that into viral content is grotesque and dehumanizing," the Turning Point USA statement continued.

The organization added that the trend reflects a broader cultural issue surrounding online content.

EXPERTS WARN LEFTIST CELEBRATIONS OF CHARLIE KIRK'S DEATH SIGNAL A DANGEROUS MAINSTREAM SHIFT IN POLITICS

"There is nothing harmless, funny, or acceptable about it. It reflects a culture that trivializes violence and reduces real human loss to a punchline," Turning Point USA's statement read. Turning Point USA also called for action from TikTok regarding the audio. "This has no place on TikTok. Or anywhere. This audio needs to be removed," Turning Point USA said.

Online commentators also reacted to the trend as it circulated across platforms.

Riley Gaines, a conservative activist and former NCAA swimmer, also weighed in on the trend in a post on X.

"They claim to be morally superior all while celebrating and laughing at innocent death. It's a joke to them," Gaines said. "These people are devoid of decency and humanity. Soulless ghouls."

ERIKA KIRK DELIVERS POWERFUL REBUKE TO THOSE CELEBRATING HER HUSBAND'S ASSASSINATION

"Women post video using Charlie Kirk assassination sounds for outfit transition… this is gross. The ‘empathy’ side btw," Brian Atlas said in a post on X.

Additional criticism spread on social media as the videos gained attention.

"The audio of Charlie Kirk getting shot is now a trending transition sound on TikTok for outfit changes. Let that sink in," Reverend Jordan Wells said in a post on X. "A man’s final moments—gunshot and screams—turned into dance video filler for likes. Sick people. Our culture is completely broken."

Some commentators on the political left also called out the trend.

Taylor Lorenz, a progressive journalist, noted the trend in a post on X.

"The audio of Charlie Kirk getting shot is now a TikTok sound for outfit transformations," Lorenz said.

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In a statement to ӣ��Ƶ Digital, TikTok said the audio and related content violated its policies and that enforcement action was taken prior to Turning Point's statement.

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Turning Point USA declined to provide additional comment to ӣ��Ƶ Digital.

TPUSA reporter attacked at anti-ICE protest speaks out after three indicted in assault case

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 20:55:06 -0400

A Turning Point USA reporter who was assaulted during an anti-ICE protest in Minneapolis is speaking out after a federal grand jury handed down indictments on Tuesday for three individuals in connection with the attack. The indicted individuals were identified by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche as Christopher Ostroushko, DeYanna Ostroushko and Paige Ostroushko.

"[Savanah] Hernandez was allegedly surrounded, physically assaulted, and shoved to the ground — simply because she was identified by the defendants as a conservative journalist. That is NOT 'peaceful protest.' These deplorable actions as charged in the indictment will not be tolerated in America, and this Department of Justice will always punish unhinged acts of political violence," Blanche wrote on X.

Frontlines TPUSA reporter Savanah Hernandez told ӣ��Ƶ Digital on Wednesday that she was "grateful" to see indictments brought against her alleged attackers.

"I feel so grateful that the federal government is actually paying attention to assaults on journalists," she said. "For years, both myself and my friends have been attacked for doing our jobs. So, to see the DOJ and the FBI take this seriously and utilize the full force of the government and the justice system to help Americans like myself is incredible."

TPUSA REPORTER ATTACKED AT ICE PROTEST WARNS A DARK NEW LINE HAS BEEN CROSSED IN AMERICA’S POLITICAL WARS

Hernandez also expressed her gratitude to the grand jury, saying, "I'm just grateful that a grand jury was able to watch the evidence that was brought forth and come to this conclusion. Again, this isn't a left versus right issue and this wasn't the Trump DOJ that was politically persecuting people, this was a grand jury that came to this decision based off of the evidence that was brought forward."

The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office announced on Wednesday it has charged 51-year-old Christopher Ostroushko with one count of fifth-degree assault. News of the charges broke while Hernandez was speaking to ӣ��Ƶ Digital. In response, she said that she was "grateful that they were at least willing to bring charges forward against Chris."

Hernandez was reporting on an anti-ICE protest on April 11 outside the Whipple Federal Building, an ICE field office that also serves as a detention facility, when the incident occurred. Hernandez previously told ӣ��Ƶ Digital that she did not engage with protesters, and was standing on the sidelines filming the demonstration. She said that things escalated when the protesters figured out that she worked for TPUSA, an organization founded by the late Charlie Kirk.

Video of the incident shows a large crowd surrounding Hernandez with several people screaming at her simultaneously. The TPUSA reporter previously told ӣ��Ƶ Digital that protesters blew horns in her face and yelled obscenities at her. She also alleged that Christopher Ostroushko, a local activist, shoved her from behind and screamed in her ear as his daughter, Paige Ostroushko, blew a whistle in her ear.

MINNESOTA FATHER WHO SHOVED CONSERVATIVE REPORTER AT ANTI-ICE PROTEST SAYS FAMILY IS 'ABSOLUTELY NOT VIOLENT'

Hernandez was heard on video saying she was trying to leave and later said that, despite her attempts to get out of the situation, activists blocked her in. She said that after four or five attacks, a deputy stepped in and escorted her to a police vehicle. She sustained some injuries, with Frontlines TPUSA later saying that she had suffered a concussion, two sprains and multiple bruises.

"I was just brutally assaulted by multiple people outside of the Whipple ICE facility in Minneapolis," Hernandez wrote on X on April 11. "Multiple people swung on me and a grown man pushed me to the ground. My glasses are broken. ANTIFA still alive and well."

Liberal streamer Andrew Mercado condemned the assault in a post on X, saying that it "shouldn't have happened."

"Savannah [sic] was filming, not engaging with anyone, and it escalated into a physical confrontation that ultimately gave law enforcement a reason to step in and declare an unlawful assembly, shutting the entire protest down," Mercado wrote.

On April 15, Hernandez wrote on X that she had cancelled multiple interviews, saying that she felt "drained" after previous interviews and wanted to give herself "time to recover." Hernandez added that she had been dealing with headaches, dizziness and lightheadedness, revealing that a doctor confirmed that she had a concussion.

MINNESOTA MAN WHO SHOVED CONSERVATIVE REPORTER SAYS HE'S SECOND GUESSING LIVING IN US AFTER BACKLASH

Christopher Ostroushko said in an April 15 interview with "Pushing The Limits" that he and his family are "absolutely not violent people" and that they "tend to shy away from it." In the same interview, he denied being at the front of the protest and said that he "stayed at the back and kind of watched what was going on."

Hernandez refuted the Ostroushko family's narrative, saying "if I hit them first, it would be on camera." She noted that there were "multiple angles of Paige walking up to me as I’m standing by myself." The reporter added that DeYanna Ostroushko, Christopher's wife, was the one who "came up and started harassing me."

"At no point was I walking up to these people," Hernandez told ӣ��Ƶ Digital in a previous interview. "All three of them walked up to me. The mother and father shoved me first and then instructed their daughter to come assault me."

When speaking to ӣ��Ƶ Digital on Wednesday, Hernandez recalled the attack, again saying that Christopher, Paige and DeYanna Ostroushko approached her first.

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Earlier this month, Hernandez told ӣ��Ƶ Digital that the assault was especially jarring because, in her view, it crossed a major line.

"There is an aspect that or a threshold that has been passed now," she said at the time. "Typically in the United States, typically in the West... it's a basic common thing that men don't attack women that are unarmed and not touching them. So a threshold has been passed with that and that was why this was so jarring to me."

ӣ��Ƶ Digital reached out to the lawyer representing the Ostroushko family for comment.

ӣ��Ƶ Digital's Kristine Parks contributed to this report.

UC Berkeley sued for allegedly stonewalling probe into violent ambush at TPUSA Rob Schneider event

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 16:30:46 -0400

EXCLUSIVE — The Center for American Liberty has filed a lawsuit against UC Berkeley over the alleged stonewalling of records from a violent November event featuring comedian Rob Schneider, held weeks after the death of Charlie Kirk.

The lawsuit, filed in Alameda County, claims Berkeley officials ignored months of requests for internal communications about a November 2025 Turning Point USA (TPUSA) event at which Schneider spoke. The group says the university has called the delay a clerical error, but Schneider said the lack of response suggests something more serious.

The comedian, who is working closely with the legal team, said he is eager for the discovery process to begin.

"I want complete transparency since they get federal dollars. We have a right to know as United States, California taxpayers and federal taxpayers," Schneider told ӣ��Ƶ Digital on Tuesday. "So now we look forward to the discovery process and finding out what the regents at Cal Berkeley knew, when they knew it."

UCLA OFFICIAL WARNS CONSERVATIVE LAW STUDENTS THEY FACE DISCIPLINE FOR IDENTIFYING LIBERAL PROTESTERS

Last year’s event was part of TPUSA’s "This Is the Turning Point Tour" and came just two months after the group’s founder, Charlie Kirk, was shot and killed at Utah Valley University.

Agitators gathered outside the event where Schneider, along with Christian author Dr. Frank Turek, was speaking inside. Amid the crowds, physical altercations broke out, with photos showing some attendees bloodied. Schneider alleged the university failed to provide adequate security.

"I think Cal Berkeley will be very embarrassed if they knowingly allowed Antifa protesters to prevent people [from hearing] someone’s free speech, especially a comedian," Schneider said.

He said his team believes the university interfered with attendance, claiming some ticket holders were told the day of the event that their tickets were no longer valid.

HARVARD STUDENTS REVOLT OVER NEW GRADING POLICY THEY CALL ‘RACIST’

"500 tickets were forced to be given to an organization on campus, for the sole purpose of making sure that 500 people could not attend," Schneider said. "I want to know what they knew."

Turek called the event a "sad spectacle" at a university known for free speech. He added that Kirk had originally been scheduled to appear with them before his death.

UC REGENT SLAMS BERKELEY EVENT FEATURING FAILED SUICIDE BOMBER AS ‘DISGUSTING AND ABHORRENT’

The Center for American Liberty claims UC Berkeley violated the California Public Records Act (CPRA) by failing to produce documents in response to its January 2026 request. The request sought security plans, internal emails, bodycam footage and reports on the disruptions.

The lawsuit calls for a writ of mandate ordering Berkeley to search for and turn over relevant records and injunctive relief that will force compliance.

The UC Berkeley Police Department confirmed several arrests the night of the protests, including on charges of trespassing and resisting or obstructing an officer. Authorities also reported injuries, including a man who was bloodied in a fight and another who suffered head lacerations after being struck with a glass object.

"UC Berkeley’s excuse doesn’t pass the smell test," Mark Trammell, CEO of the Center for American Liberty said in a press release. "You don’t ‘accidentally’ ignore a lawful records request for months, especially after repeated follow-ups. This looks a lot more like deliberate stonewalling than a clerical error."

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ӣ��Ƶ Digital has reached out to UC Berkeley for comment but did not immediately hear back.

Erika Kirk blasts Kimmel's 'cruel' joke about Trump's death, laments nation's 'epidemic of dehumanization'

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 13:52:55 -0400

Turning Point USA (TPUSA) CEO Erika Kirk said a "serious epidemic of dehumanization" was plaguing the country Wednesday, speaking after the attack at the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) Dinner.

Kirk, unanimously elected the conservative group’s new CEO following the assassination last year of her husband Charlie Kirk, also criticized ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel and the journalism industry at large in an emotional monologue to open "The Charlie Kirk Show" on Wednesday.

"We are all human beings, and if you can just pause and just take a minute and ask yourself, ‘How would you feel if, even just one person, made cruel jokes about the attempted murder of your loved one?’ That is what Jimmy Kimmel did to the first lady," she said, although Kimmel has said he was not making an assassination joke.

EX-OBAMA AIDE CALLS ON KIMMEL TO APOLOGIZE FOR ‘TASTELESS’ JOKE AHEAD OF ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT

"It seems to me that nothing will ever be enough for the evil in this world," she said at one point. "Our country has become unrecognizable; these people have perverted the truth to the point that they motivated the murder of my husband.

"They have continuously tried to assassinate the president, and anyone who stands in their way is labeled ‘hateful,’ ‘racist,’ ‘fascist and every other trigger word that is grossly dishonest."

Kirk noted that a schoolteacher armed with a gun and other weapons tried to shoot up the WHCA Dinner on Saturday.

"Of all people, a schoolteacher that attempted to change our history, for the worse, with bullets," Kirk said.

"Everyone is asking why I even went to the White House Correspondents' Dinner, and it was because many of the journalists in that room have attempted to dehumanize me, and I wanted to meet some of them face to face," she continued. "Why have a conversation about me when you can have a conversation with me?"

Kirk, wearing all black and sitting beside the empty chair left vacant in honor of her late husband, praised the WHCA for giving the room an all-American feel that was apparent when she entered the ballroom.

"Shortly thereafter, gunshots rang out, and total chaos ensued," she said.

"If you were in that room, you had no way of knowing what the status of the shooter was, how many there were or honestly really anything. It was just utter chaos. And, so, during an active shooting, these journalists are using their phones to find moments to capture for clips.

"They were so concerned about getting a video in a room with an active shooter that they could have accidently and quite literally filmed themselves being shot," Kirk added. "Many of those people have become to desensitized that fight or flight became secondary to the opportunity of putting themselves into the story, which ironically breaks the No. 1 rule of journalism."

Kirk expressed disgust at Cole Tomas Allen, the 31-year-old charged in the shooting. He is facing at least three counts, including attempting to assassinate the president of the United States, transporting a gun across state lines and discharging a gun during a crime of violence.

"While we may have big problems with illegal immigration in this country, I have to tell you we have an even bigger problem when it comes to the systemic indoctrination and radicalization of our own citizens," Kirk said.

"This is what got my husband killed. This is what has led to three legitimate attempts on President Trump’s life," she added. "I can speak firsthand to that unbearable toll that this must take on our first lady."

She said liberals have essentially shrugged off attempts to assassinate Trump and said some are even disappointed the attempts have each failed.

Kirk has a history with Kimmel. The ABC host landed in hot water last year when he falsely suggested the suspect in Charlie Kirk's assassination was a MAGA supporter. He was suspended from the airwaves before returning, tearfully apologizing for the notion that he was trying to make light of the murder.

Last week, before Saturday's shooting, Kimmel joked that Melania Trump had the glow of an "expectant widow," which has since prompted Trump and the first lady to call for his firing. Kimmel has not apologized, repeatedly insisting he was merely joking about the president's age.

Erika Kirk was not amused.

"The ‘glow of an expectant widow,’ just 48 hours before that nightmare almost became a reality. In this culture we’re living in, [it] absorbs disagreement as a form of personal betrayal, it turns having an opposing viewpoint into a moral crime worthy of punishment," Kirk said.

JIMMY KIMMEL REMAINS DEFIANT, INSISTS 'EXPECTANT WIDOW' JAB AGAINST TRUMPS WAS ABOUT AGE DIFFERENCE

"Here’s what I’ve realized through all of this, truly, having lived through quite literal hell these past seven months. If you strip someone of their humanity long enough, you will arrive at the chilling conclusion that they don’t deserve to exist at all," she continued.

"Every morning, I wake up to a new headline lying about me… There is a serious epidemic of dehumanization plaguing this country. The most unthinkable tragedies have now become commonplace in our daily headlines, and yet the media finds a way to conveniently explain away violence.

FCC CALLS IN DISNEY-OWNED ABC STATIONS FOR EARLY LICENSE REVIEW IN WAKE OF JIMMY KIMMEL CONTROVERSY

Kirk added, "This is what we’re up against," adding Americans can’t afford to ignore the problem.

Earlier this month, Erika Kirk canceled a planned appearance at a TPUSA event at the University of Georgia after receiving what organizers described as "very serious threats."

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ӣ��Ƶ Digital’s Greg Wehner contributed to this report.

My friend Charlie Kirk saw the danger of the SPLC long before its indictment

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 05:00:32 -0400

Last week, the Department of Justice unsealed 11 indictments against the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), charging the organization with wire fraud, conspiracy and making false statements to a federally insured bank. At the heart of the alleged scheme was a shocking operation in which the SPLC paid "informants" embedded inside the very extremist groups it claimed to oppose, including the Nazi Party of America, the KKK and Aryan Nations. The indictments reveal these characters to be more than just moles, but rather the leaders, organizers and key influencers that make these groups work.

As a conservative, I’ve watched these revelations with a sense of righteous vindication. For years, those of us on the right have viewed the SPLC as a caricature of left-wing overreach and moral panic, but we also shouldn’t dismiss its poisonous influence in progressive circles. Saturday’s failed assassination attempt at the White House Correspondents Association Dinner only underscores the seriousness with which we must approach the radicalizing propaganda network of the far left, especially groups like the SPLC, which wield outsize influence. As history tells us, that influence can come with deadly consequences.

In 2010, the SPLC added the Family Research Council to its widely circulated "Hate Map." Less than 22 months later, an armed gunman entered the organization’s Washington, D.C., headquarters intending to carry out a mass shooting. He was heroically stopped by a security guard and later admitted he had used the SPLC’s map to select his target.

NEO-NAZI, KLAN 'CYCLOPS' AND ‘SADISTIC’ BIKER: HERE'S WHO SPLC ALLEGEDLY PAID IN ITS INFORMANT NETWORK

To understand how the Hate Map came to play such a role, it’s worth revisiting how the SPLC rose to prominence. Founded in 1971, the organization built its reputation through litigation aimed at advancing desegregation, expanding minority voter representation in the South and dismantling organized Klan activities. Fortunately for the country, but unfortunately for the SPLC, by the 1990s, its preferred targets had largely receded from public life. Klan hoods, swastikas and burning crosses were relics of a bygone era.

This should have been celebrated by the SPLC, but instead, it represented an existential threat. Business was drying up. New targets were needed to satiate the worst fears of its generous donors still eager to cosplay as feted activists from the civil rights heyday.

So in 2000, the SPLC created the Hate Map, an interactive tool that allowed prospective donors to click through and see just how much "hate" was lurking in every corner of the country, probably in a neighborhood near you.

The map proved to be brilliant marketing. Filled with red — the color of hate and the Republican Party — the Hate Map was visual confirmation bias for the NPR donor class that wanted to believe the only true evil remaining in the world was White supremacy.

SPLC FACES BLOWBACK FROM ‘HATE MAP’ TARGETS AFTER DOJ FRAUD INDICTMENT

But the SPLC soon discovered it could raise even more money by broadening the definition of "hate." According to the SPLC, these extremists existed only because a broader network of mainstream conservative and Christian organizations provided the requisite permission structure for them. Groups opposing abortion or defending traditional marriage were added to the list. Over time, the map included organizations like Alliance Defending Freedom, Moms for Liberty, PragerU and yes, Turning Point USA (TPUSA). The line between violent extremism and ordinary ideological disagreement was deliberately blurred.

But the SPLC still had a problem. There just weren’t enough real, outward signs of White supremacy to sustain the business model. So it decided to manufacture some. Beginning around 2014, the organization reportedly funneled millions of dollars through shell companies to pay extremist leaders, organizers and recruiters to subsidize the very stereotypes of 1960s-style White supremacy that had originally made the group famous.

The return on investment was extraordinary. In 2017, immediately after the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville — an event we now know was organized with the help of an SPLC informant paid roughly $270,000 — the organization’s revenues nearly tripled, jumping from $51 million to over $133 million in one year. Major corporations like JPMorgan and MGM, along with high-profile donors such as Tim Cook of Apple and George and Amal Clooney, poured millions into its coffers. As of 2024, the organization reportedly maintains an endowment of well over $700 million.

DAVID MARCUS: LIBERALS' GET-TRUMP 'FINE PEOPLE' HOAX WAS WAY WORSE THAN WE THOUGHT

I remember when my friend and colleague Charlie Kirk first learned that TPUSA had been added to the Hate Map in the spring of 2025. His initial reaction was characteristically defiant: "Of course. What took them so long?" We laughed at the absurdity. But later, when we were alone, he admitted he was worried about our students. He was used to the smears; they were not. Charlie knew it only took one lunatic to change everything.

On Sept. 10, 2025, his worst fears were tragically realized.

Exactly three months and 19 days after the SPLC fraudulently included Turning Point USA in its so-called Hate Map, a left-wing assassin killed Charlie, saying, "I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can't be negotiated out."

WILLIAM BENNETT: WHAT CHARLIE KIRK'S MURDER TELLS US ABOUT THE AMERICAN MIND

I cannot prove the SPLC’s targeting of TPUSA directly caused Charlie’s assassination. But indirectly? Without question. The organization’s decades-long campaign helped turn "hate" into the ultimate catch-all slur wielded by powerful institutions to dismiss, dehumanize and ultimately justify violence against conservatives.

Real violent extremism exists in America, but the data increasingly shows it is far more common on the political left. Just days after Charlie’s assassination, a YouGov/The Economist poll found that nearly 30% of self-described progressives ages 18–39 believe violence is justified to achieve political goals, compared with only about 5% of conservatives in the same age group. The SPLC and its allies were so successful at selling the myth of pervasive right-wing "hate" that far too many on the left became convinced that conservatives deserved whatever violence came their way.

So what needs to happen now?

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The entire SPLC edifice must be dismantled, all the way down to the studs. Its financial networks should be exposed and severed. Donors should consider revenues from the SPLC’s fraudulent scheme to be blood money and demand refunds. Responsible institutions must immediately disavow any association with the group. Those involved in the alleged fraud should face full prosecution.

In his final text message to White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, Charlie wrote about the urgent need to dismantle the networks and financial infrastructure that enable left-wing violence.

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The DOJ indictments are the first real step toward achieving his vision.

Let’s hope they are just the first of many more steps, including criminal indictments of the leaders responsible. They must pay for what they’ve done if America stands any chance of overcoming the rise of left-wing political violence.

Florida law school reverses course, recognizes TPUSA chapter after state pressure

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 19:00:21 -0400

A Florida law school has reversed course and will allow a Turning Point USA chapter following intervention from Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier after the school initially denied the chapter.

"We are glad Barry Law reversed course and is allowing its students an opportunity to hear ideas that are outside of the left-wing echo chamber," Uthmeier told ӣ��Ƶ Digital Monday in a statement.

Florida’s Voice reported April 22 that "Barry University School of Law has reversed its earlier denial and will allow students to form a chapter of Turning Point USA, complying with demands from Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier that the private Catholic institution had engaged in viewpoint discrimination."

STUDENT SENATE REJECTS TURNING POINT USA CHAPTER RE-ESTABLISHMENT AT CALIFORNIA LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY

In an April 9 letter, Uthmeier wrote, "Denying students the ability to form a TPUSA chapter at Barry Law likely violates students’ contractually ‘guaranteed’ freedom of expression and association. It discourages free discussion, inquiry, and expression, and disables students from organizing and joining an association to promote their common interests."

Uthmeier, who had asked the law school to respond by May 15, continued, "Barry Law’s decision also violates the specific promise that disqualification will not be based solely on affiliation with an extramural organization. The denial was specifically premised on the student organization’s affiliation with TPUSA, which the law school disingenuously determined was in conflict with the University’s purpose."

He also pointed out that the law school, located in Miami Shores, has an OUTLaw chapter, an LGBTQ+ student organization found at many U.S. law schools.

"Barry University is ‘a Catholic institution,’ grounded in ‘the liberal arts tradition,’ that ‘nurtures and values cultural, social and intellectual diversity’ — apparently unless a student is a religious conservative," he wrote.

ELON MUSK, CHARLIE KIRK WARNINGS RESURFACE AFTER SPLC FEDERAL INDICTMENT

Uthmeier added, "Barry Law’s recognition of the LGBTQ organization OUTLaw undermines the Catholic Church’s clear position against transgenderism. Barry Law recognizes its own chapter of the ACLU, which advocates for abortion access — also in conflict with Catholic teaching."

"If these student organizations are somehow not in conflict with a Catholic university’s purpose, then TPUSA certainly isn’t," he continued. "The obvious disparate treatment confirms that Barry Law’s stated reason for prohibiting the TPUSA chapter was simply a pretext for censoring religiously conservative students."

Additionally, on April 16, 2026, Florida State University Law’s First Amendment Clinic sent a demand letter to Barry Law asking it to reverse its denial of the TPUSA chapter, seeking a response from Barry Law by April 23 to avoid legal action. FSU Law’s First Amendment Clinic said that on April 22, six days after receiving the demand letter, Barry Law reversed its denial.

Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed Sept. 10 while he was speaking at an event at Utah Valley University.

LOYOLA NEW ORLEANS LAW STUDENTS TEAM UP WITH TURNING POINT MEMBERS TO APPEAL 'SUBJECTIVE' CHAPTER DENIAL

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ӣ��Ƶ Digital reached out to Barry University for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

Correspondents’ dinner chaos hits high-profile guests already marked by political violence

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:34:14 -0400

When shots rang out at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday night, the chaos tore through a ballroom that included a handful of people who had already lived through political violence.

President Donald Trump was rushed from the ballroom at the Washington Hilton Hotel on Saturday evening, just as the dinner was kicking off in earnest, after apparent gunshots were heard. Video from inside the event showed attendees taking cover under tables as panic spread through the room.

The moment carried additional weight for several attendees whose lives had already been shaped by political violence, including Trump, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and TPUSA CEO Erika Kirk.

"The people that make the biggest impact, they're the ones that [shooters] go after," Trump said late on Saturday evening from a press conference at the White House. "They don't go after the ones that don't do much because they like it that way."

COREY COMPERATORE'S WIDOW SHEDS NEW LIGHT ON FINAL MOMENTS WITH HER HUSBAND

Trump, himself, has faced repeated threats on his life.

There were two assassination attempts on Trump’s life in 2024, beginning in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a bullet grazed his ear after a gunman climbed onto a roof during a rally on July 13, 2024.

"Butler had one weak spot that we all know about. Somebody should have been up there, but even in Butler, we had our sniper on our side. Within 4.2 seconds, from a distance of about 400 yards, one shot, and he was gone," said Trump.

A second incident unfolded just weeks later, at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, where a suspect with a rifle was discovered near the golf course while Trump was present. Trump was not injured during that incident.

FBI INVESTIGATES HUNTING STAND WITH SIGHT LINE TO TRUMP'S AIR FORCE ONE EXIT AREA AT PALM BEACH AIRPORT

Others in the room have also been shaped by political violence, bringing additional weight to the moment.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the nephew of President John F. Kennedy, was swiftly escorted out of the room on Saturday, an HHS official told ӣ��Ƶ Digital. His family history is closely tied to two tragic assassinations.

JFK was assassinated on Nov. 22, 1963, while riding in an open-top motorcade in Dallas, Texas, during a re-election campaign event.

YEARS OF CAMPUS ATTACKS ON CONSERVATIVE ACTIVISTS RESURFACE AFTER CHARLIE KIRK’S MURDER

Five years later, the secretary's father, then-Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, was shot after he delivered a victory speech when he won the California Democratic presidential primary.

He was struck three times, including a fatal shot to the head.

Similarly, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise was among four people who were shot on June 14, 2017, at a Republican congressional baseball practice. The gunman, a supporter of Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., was shot and killed by police.

Scalise was shot in the hip, leaving him critically wounded. He eventually recovered and returned to Congress months later.

"I’m incredibly grateful for the brave members of law enforcement who acted quickly to protect all of us attending tonight’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner. This is an event meant to bring people together. Violence has NO place in our country," Scalise posted to X.

Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk was reportedly seen crying backstage after she ran out of the ballroom following the shots fired. Kirk has also experienced personal tragedy when her husband was assassinated in September 2025 while speaking at a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University.

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ӣ��Ƶ Digital reached out to Kennedy and Scalise for comment.

Trump hailed law enforcement during his press conference from the White House late on Saturday, saying the situation was "incredibly acted upon by Secret Service and law enforcement."

"[The suspect] had a long way to go. That was really a first line of defense. And they got him. And they really, you know, they acted incredibly," he continued.

The suspected gunman, identified as a 31-year-old Cole Allen of California, was taken into custody.

DAVID MARCUS: The law comes for Southern Poverty Law Center's ideological vigilantes

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 14:24:27 -0400

This week, the Department of Justice dropped a bombshell indictment alleging not just that the "anti-racism" organization Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has been running a spy ring, but that it has actually paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to the very White supremacist groups it claims to be fighting.

It truly could be a Dave Chappelle sketch, right down to the fact that the SPLC funded, in part, the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in which the lie that President Donald Trump called neo-Nazis "very fine people" was born.

Trump never called the White supremacists "very fine people," but it turns out the SPLC was handing them bags of cash.

The biggest takeaway from this scandal is that actual racism is so scant in our society that the SPLC has to fund it to find it.

CHARLIE KIRK’S FRIENDS FEEL ‘MORAL OBLIGATION’ TO DEBUNK OUT-OF-CONTEXT CLIPS ABOUT SLAIN CONSERVATIVE ICON

But even without the payouts, they have been little more than an ideological vigilante group for decades.

There may have been a time in the 1970s when the SPLC did important work infiltrating and exposing racist organizations, but since at least the turn of the century, the group's main purpose has been to get conservatives canceled — often through dubious connections.

The way this works is that the SPLC keeps a watchlist of individuals or organizations that they say are hateful. Mind you, no real definition of what is and is not a hate group is actually offered; it's just whatever they say it is. And it's almost always conservative.

THIS SOCIAL JUSTICE WARRIOR WAS ALL-IN FOR BLM, THEN HE 'ACCIDENTALLY RED-PILLED' HIMSELF

Once a person or group finds themselves on this blacklist, if you will, the consequences have been grave. In some professions, like academia or publishing, being labeled as hateful by the SPLC is a clear barrier to employment.

Likewise, any organization — even one as harmless as Moms for Liberty — that gets a hate group designation is always introduced or mentioned in the media with the grave warning, "... has been labeled a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center."

What makes this ideological vigilantism is that while the First Amendment protects Americans from the state punishing our free speech, the SPLC, through the myriad institutions it has captured, metes out punishment for speech on a regular basis.

STANDING UP TO ANTISEMITIC MOBS SHOULDN’T LAND YOU IN PRISON

For more than 25 years, this group has operated as a kind of private thought police — the rent-a-cops of American discourse — who ban conservatives from the conversation by smearing them, while progressives like Hasan Piker talk about killing the rich on podcasts.

Calling somebody a bigot, hateful or a White supremacist is a social scarlet letter in our culture. It doesn’t just mean that the person shouldn’t get a job or publish a book; it means they should be shunned in their personal and professional lives.

At its worst, the SPLC’s defamation of everyday conservatives as racists may even contribute to violence. After all, the organization absurdly labeled Charlie Kirk and Turning Point USA as hateful before a gunman silenced Charlie forever.

ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE RETIRES GLOSSARY OF EXTREMIST GROUPS AFTER BACKLASH FOR INCLUDING CHARLIE KIRK'S TPUSA

You see, the SPLC’s mission was once to protect those who were dehumanized in our society, but today, they do the dehumanizing. Showing up on their watchlists doesn’t just put a black mark on one’s resume. It puts a target on one’s back.

Whether the SPLC’s shenanigans turn out to be criminal or not, the organization has been exposed as a fraud shop. The SPLC isn’t cracking open cases against criminal organizations. It's just censoring ideas.

Outside of prisons, there is no massive network of White supremacists that the SPLC needs to infiltrate and investigate. It's all stuff and nonsense.

UC BERKELEY’S BLOODY PROTEST OF TPUSA ALLEGEDLY FUNDED BY FAR-LEFT NONPROFIT

The SPLC has been trading on its once excellent reputation for decades now. Experts pretend it is nonpartisan, when, in fact, today, it only exists to silence conservative voices.

Sadly, the organization no longer deserves the trust that our institutions have put in it to be a fair arbiter of racism and bigotry. In fact, it may be responsible for more racism than it actually fights.

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It is time for the SPLC and all of its malicious smears to take their place in the dustbin of history and for Americans of good will to have free conversations without facing punishment from a fake civil rights organization.

And honestly, it really does show just how far our nation has come in conquering bigotry.

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North Carolina student wins $95K after school accused her of vandalizing spirit rock with Charlie Kirk tribute

FIRST ON FOX: SPLC's tax-exempt status under threat after fiery Capitol Hill hearing

Bill Maher to appear in Charlie Kirk documentary, remembers loving his interview with the TPUSA leader

WATCH: SPLC chief doubles down on placing Charlie Kirk's Turning Point USA on 'hate map'

Rhode Island teacher who called slain Charlie Kirk 'garbage' honored in high school yearbook

Students for Life spokeswoman defiant after Antifa 'death cult' mobbed her, celebrated Charlie Kirk's murder

Utah prosecutors ask judge to shut down delay tactics in Charlie Kirk assassination case

Texas man allegedly threatened to bomb Turning Point USA event and kill CEO Erika Kirk in online posts

TPUSA reporter says family charged with assaulting her is now trying to silence her with restraining orders

GOP veteran defeats populist candidate in one of America's most conservative districts

Viral video shows young woman dancing near Charlie Kirk assassination site

Tennessee man jailed 37 days over Facebook meme mocking Charlie Kirk's death wins $850K settlement

Berkeley accused of 'playing favorites' by withholding police footage from riot at Rob Schneider event

First on Fox: Chloe Cole vows to return to UW after canceling appearance over alleged Antifa threats

Detransitioner Chloe Cole cancels UW speech after alleged Antifa threats

TPUSA CEO Erika Kirk wishes happy anniversary to slain husband Charlie Kirk in the afterlife

He fled communism. Now this California mayor is honoring Charlie Kirk and refusing to back down

TPUSA condemns viral TikTok videos using sound effect from Charlie Kirk's assassination

TPUSA reporter attacked at anti-ICE protest speaks out after three indicted in assault case

UC Berkeley sued for allegedly stonewalling probe into violent ambush at TPUSA Rob Schneider event

Erika Kirk blasts Kimmel's 'cruel' joke about Trump's death, laments nation's 'epidemic of dehumanization'

My friend Charlie Kirk saw the danger of the SPLC long before its indictment

Florida law school reverses course, recognizes TPUSA chapter after state pressure

Correspondents’ dinner chaos hits high-profile guests already marked by political violence

DAVID MARCUS: The law comes for Southern Poverty Law Center's ideological vigilantes

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