The assassination of conservative leader Charlie Kirk has left the nation reeling. But instead of uniting Americans in grief, former Fox host Howard Kurtz used the moment to smear Kirk, suggesting the Turning Point USA founder bore some responsibility for his own murder. The shameful comments sparked immediate outrage across the conservative movement, with many calling out Kurtz as yet another establishment figure eager to parrot left-wing narratives.

In a viral clip, Kurtz downplayed the political violence behind Kirk’s assassination, declaring, “There is violent extremism on both sides. It is not proportionate. And to have an honest conversation about what led to this moment, that has to focus in part on the left.” But instead of condemning the radical ideology that inspired Kirk’s killer, Kurtz pivoted to the tired talking point that “Charlie Kirk was not a saint.”

That remark — essentially blaming Kirk’s advocacy for the Second Amendment — landed like a slap in the face to millions of Americans mourning a man gunned down for his political beliefs. “Charlie Kirk was not a saint,” Kurtz said, referencing Kirk’s defense of the right to bear arms. In other words, Kirk supported the Constitution, so his murder is somehow less tragic.

Conservatives weren’t having it. Outrage poured across social media. “He should be fired immediately,” wrote one commentator. Another mocked his career collapse: “No wonder they canceled this trash. Kurtz is a garbage person.” Greg Gutfeld joined the backlash with his signature wit, posting, “Maybe we can tune in next week for a clarification… oh wait,” mocking the cancellation of Kurtz’s *MediaBuzz*.

The fury extended far beyond online jokes. Prominent conservatives argued that Kurtz’s comments weren’t just tasteless — they gave legitimacy to those who cheered Kirk’s death. One wrote, “This cowardly propaganda mouthpiece just backed up those who blame Charlie Kirk for his own killing, bringing up Kirk’s stance on the 2nd Amendment as a contributing factor.”

President Trump also weighed in, torching Kurtz in a fiery Truth Social post. “It is time for Howie Kurtz to retire!” Trump wrote, accusing him of filling his show with “woke anchors” from CNN and MSNBC spouting “negative and fake statements.” The former president slammed Kurtz for his weak defense, writing, “The case Howie makes for me is so pathetic that it would be a lot better if he didn’t say anything.”

Kurtz, never one to accept accountability, responded with a defensive tweet: “Lotta trolls out today. I’ve known President Trump for 35 years, and if I hated him he wouldn’t keep giving me interviews.” Instead of apologizing, he painted himself as the victim.

But here’s the reality: Charlie Kirk was assassinated by a radical leftist while standing up for American values. To minimize that reality or to blame the victim is disgraceful. Conservatives see through the spin. Howard Kurtz has shown, once again, why Fox dropped him — because in the end, he would rather curry favor with elites than stand with the movement that built him.