Until recently, Charlie Kirk’s name was known only to a narrow circle of Spaniards interested in American politics. Everything changed after the tragedy at Utah Valley University, where Kirk was fatally wounded during a public event. Footage from the scene rapidly spread across social media, sparking debates and strong emotions far beyond the United States.
In Spain, this story has taken on particular resonance. The right-wing of the political spectrum, most notably members of Partido Popular and Vox, quickly turned Kirk’s death into grounds for criticizing leftist parties and the current government. Numerous posts expressing condolences appeared on social networks, soon followed by accusations aimed at their opponents. Leaders of PP and Vox did not stop at condemning the violence—they questioned the left’s response, hinting at double standards and a lack of principle.
Partido Popular, in particular, raised the question: how would the public have reacted if the victim had been an activist with opposing views? Their rhetoric pointed to those who, allegedly, ignore or justify such crimes if they target political adversaries. When asked for concrete examples of such statements, PP representatives suggested checking the accounts of PSOE politicians and the government to see who among them stayed silent.
Vox, as expected, went even further. In their statements, Kirk’s death was portrayed as the result of the left’s “obsession” with violence and intolerance toward dissent. On social media, supporters of the party actively circulated calls to participate in memorial events at the US embassy, emphasizing that such tragedies are, in their view, a consequence of the political climate created by left-wing governments in the West. Youth organizations linked to Vox and PP also announced their participation, and the comments featured calls for unity and defending their beliefs.
Interestingly, at the height of the debates in Spain, there was no official information about the identity or motives of the shooter. Nevertheless, this did not stop right-wing parties from using the tragedy to increase pressure on their political opponents. Meanwhile, PSOE representatives limited themselves to restrained statements condemning violence and urging all sides to avoid escalating hostilities, calling for self-reflection and responsible behavior.
Ultimately, the death of Charlie Kirk became not only an occasion for mourning but also a catalyst for a new round of political discord in Spain. The tragedy that occurred across the ocean unexpectedly found itself at the center of the internal struggle for influence and the interpretation of democratic values.
