In the wake of Charlie Kirk’s murder, Arnold Schwarzenegger told students at the University of Southern California (USC) who he believed was to blame.
Kirk, a prominent right-wing activist, was shot and killed while speaking during a touring event at Utah Valley University on September 10.
The alleged gunman, Tyler Robinson, has been charged with aggravated murder and is being held without bail.
Highlights
- Arnold Schwarzenegger blamed multiple parties, including politicians and social media, for the environment leading to Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
- Schwarzenegger urged students to unite across political divides and solve problems together through peaceful dialogue and people power.
- He highlighted the importance of respect and civility, praising a USC event with no heckling or shouting despite political differences.
- Schwarzenegger warned that social media profits from anger and distorts reality, making hostile voices seem dominant despite being a minority.
Arnold Schwarzenegger spoke about Charlie Kirk's death
Image credits: Victoria Sirakova/Getty Images
Schwarzenegger, an actor and the former Republican governor of California, gave a passionate speech to students this week at USC’s Democracy Day celebration.
He was asked for his thoughts on Kirk’s assassination, and he cited several contributing factors he believed were to blame.
The list included both Republicans and Democrats, as well as social media companies and the mainstream media.
“We’re getting hit from so many different angles and we have to be very careful that we don’t get any closer to the cliff because when you fall down that cliff, there is no democracy,” Schwarzenegger said.
He said it was important to turn it around through “people power” and recommended students of all political beliefs get together and have conversations.
Image credits: Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images
“This is a time to show leadership,” Schwarzenegger continued. “Imagine you get together and start having communications together and solving problems together.
“You will have the media turn out in no time and cover that story, and you will be an example to the rest of the nation, for all universities – how you get together, how you do not see the other side as the enemy or to fight fire with fire, like they’re saying today, or to declare war on each other.”
Schwarzenegger added: “Remember that people power is the ultimate power, that’s what democracy is all about.”
“That’s what it is, people power, not politician power, it’s people power. So use that power, start getting together and show the country and the world that you can do it.”
Schwarzenegger shared a clip of his speech on social media and pointed out something he said was more important than his message: the fact that there was no heckling, disrespect or shouting.
He further referenced social media posts of some people celebrating Kirk’s death due to his controversial views on issues such as abortion rights, gun control, DEI programs, and LGBTQIA+ rights.
Schwarzenegger said that social media showcased the “worst of humanity” and convinced users that respectful people were the minority.
“Don’t let these companies and the rage influencers that profit from them convince you the worst of us are the most of us,” he wrote. “They are a tiny minority that gets too much attention because anger makes you post, repost, and like.
“This was an audience of almost 500 students, and zero disrespect. That’s how most of the real world outside of the internet is. If you find yourself falling for the anger, go out in the real world and make yourself human again.”
Schwarzenegger’s plea for unity comes amid increased political tensions in the U.S. and concerns over rising political violence.
In recent days, critics of the Trump administration have also raised fears of a crackdown on free speech after Jimmy Kimmel Live! was pulled off the air indefinitely.
Kimmel had suggested the alleged shooter, Robinson, was affiliated with the MAGA movement and compared Trump’s grief to a child mourning a goldfish.