Key points
- 150 political attacks so far
- Violence growing without clear ideology
- Polarisation fuelling “vicious spiral”
WASHINGTON: The assassination of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk marks a turning point in the growing wave of political violence in the United States, with experts warning it could fuel deeper unrest in an already polarised nation.
Mike Jensen, a researcher at the University of Maryland who tracks political violence told Reuters, the incident was “horrifying, alarming, but not necessarily surprising.”
He noted the US had witnessed roughly 150 politically motivated attacks in the first half of this year—almost double the number from the same period in 2024. “This could absolutely serve as a kind of flashpoint,” he warned, reports Reuters.
Experts point to a mix of factors behind this trend: economic instability, anxiety over changing demographics, and the increasingly hostile tone of political discourse. Political divides have shifted from policy disagreements to personal animosity, fuelled by conspiracy theories, social media, and individual grievances.
Political violence
Between the Capitol riot on 6 January 2021 and the 2024 presidential election, the US media documented over 300 acts of political violence—the most prolonged surge since the 1970s.
Jon Lewis, from the Program on Extremism at George Washington University, said Kirk’s killing reflects a broader trend where acts of violence are increasing, “even without any clear ideology or motive.” He added, “There’s really a concern about what the blowback to something like this will look like.”
Lilliana Mason, a political scientist at Johns Hopkins University, echoed those concerns: “No one wants to be the one to start it, but lots of people want to be able to finish it.”
Ally of Trump
Kirk, 31, a staunch ally of President Donald Trump and founder of Turning Point USA, was addressing a crowd at Utah Valley University when he was fatally shot. No suspect has been officially identified, though one individual was questioned and released.
Trump, who survived two assassination attempts last year, announced Kirk’s death, calling him someone who “had the Heart of the Youth in the United States.”
Political violence has continued across the spectrum. This year alone, 21 people have died in related incidents.
Jensen warned that escalating tensions could spiral further: “The people who hate it are starting to act out. People who love it are going to act out… and it becomes a vicious spiral.”
