Repercussions in the Wake of Charlie Kirk's Shooting: A Clash of Views and Consequences

Initial Reaction and Second Thoughts of Gretchen Felker - Martin

Almost immediately subsequent to posting about the shooting of Charlie Kirk, Gretchen Felker - Martin, an author and transgender woman, began to have misgivings. Felker - Martin, the writer of the latest installment of DC Comics’ Red Hood series, posted on Bluesky, stating “thoughts and prayers you Nazi bitch” in response to the death of Kirk, a right - wing influencer and Trump ally known for his staunch anti - trans rights stance. She added, “Hope the bullet’s okay after touching Kirk.”

The Circumstances of Charlie Kirk's Death

Kirk passed away after being shot during a stop on his American Comeback Tour, an event organized by the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, which he founded.

Felker - Martin's Concerns and the Backlash

While Felker - Martin firmly stands by her views, stating to WIRED, “Charlie Kirk was a monster. He spent his life hurting and targeting other people,” she was nonetheless worried about the potential backlash to her post. And the backlash came swiftly. She claims to have received “hundreds, if not thousands, of death threats and attempted doxings.” Not only was her Bluesky account suspended for a week, but on the same night, she says she received a call from DC editor - in - chief Marie Javins, informing her that DC was severing ties with her and canceling the Red Hood series, which focuses on Gotham City vigilante Jason Todd. DC is also offering retailers credit for already - sold copies.

DC's Statement

Marie Javins, DC’s editor - in - chief, told WIRED in a statement: “The tone of Gretchen’s posts, not her personal views, was of concern for DC, and that was clearly communicated to her on August 13. DC does not moderate the personal opinions of its talent. However, when personal statements are directly tied to DC stories or characters, or use language that can be seen as non - peaceful, we review and act if necessary. Gretchen’s choice to continue her rhetoric despite this feedback was her own. Our decision to cease publication was a result. She is a passionate and talented writer, and DC wishes her the best with her future work.”

Bluesky's Response (or Lack Thereof)

Bluesky did not respond to WIRED’s request for comment regarding the suspension of Felker - Martin or others who shared content criticizing Kirk. In an email seen by WIRED, Bluesky notified Felker - Martin that her post violated Bluesky’s rules “regarding violent or threatening speech.”

Repercussions for Other Creatives

Felker - Martin is not alone. Drew Harrison, an artist at Sucker Punch Productions (a subsidiary of Sony and PlayStation), posted on Bluesky, “I hope the shooter’s name is Mario so that Luigi knows his bro got his back.” Following a public pressure campaign, she was seemingly fired shortly afterward. She later posted, “If standing up against fascism is what cost me my dream job I held for 10 years, I would do it again 100x stronger.” Harrison shared a screenshot of a series of missed calls from unknown numbers, with one person replying, “We've already moved on. She's been fired. When she finds work somewhere else, we will get her fired again, and again, and again.” Sony did not immediately respond to a request for comment but confirmed to Kotaku that it had parted ways with Harrison.

Impact on Media Personalities

Media pundits, journalists, and academics, including MSNBC commentator Matthew Dowd, have also faced consequences. Executives from Comcast, which owns NBC Universal, sent out an email to employees seemingly referencing Dowd’s dismissal over an “unacceptable and insensitive comment about this horrific event. That coverage was at odds with fostering civil dialogue.” In response to a request for comment, Comcast redirected WIRED to the aforementioned letter.

Cultural Products Affected

Red Hood is not the only cultural product affected. Comedy Central has decided not to rerun the South Park episode “Got a Nut,” which satirized the right - wing activist. However, Kirk himself had said the episode was “hilarious” and an example of the “cultural domination” of his Prove Me Wrong college campus debates; he even changed his show’s TikTok profile picture to an image of the South Park character Cartman parodying him. (The episode will still be available to stream on Paramount+.)

Charlie Kirk's Influence and Controversial Views

Kirk was one of the most influential conservative activists in the US. He co - founded Turning Point at just 18 and transformed it into a multimillion - dollar enterprise. However, his political views were often inflammatory, racist, and transphobic, attracting many critics, including Felker - Martin, who belonged to one of the groups he derided. In his final exchange before being shot, Kirk was asked about transgender mass shooters and responded that there were “too many,” repeating a myth used to attack trans people.

Support and Commentary from Others

Author Roxane Gay, who has spoken out in Felker - Martin’s defense, says that whether she agrees with Felker - Martin’s views “doesn't matter.” She tells WIRED, “Either you believe in free speech or you don't,” describing DC Comics’ decision to pull Red Hood as the “overreaction of the century.”

The Broader Context

From Trump’s plan to remove “race - centered ideology” and trans people from the Smithsonian to the cancellation of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, the campaign against Kirk’s critics and its impact on pop culture is not occurring in isolation. According to curator and culture critic Hrag Vartanian, editor - in - chief of the arts publication Hyperallergic, humor and satire are particularly triggering for authoritarian figures. “Authoritarians can deal with violence. They can deal with everything except being laughed at,” Vartanian says. Vartanian also tells WIRED that he has spoken with many artists who have delayed showing works about topics like the war in Gaza or queerness due to the current political environment, in a form of self - censorship.

Gay says that because she has a family, she too has to take fewer risks. But she is “shocked” that more writers aren’t openly backing Felker - Martin. “If it's her today, it's going to be someone else tomorrow,” she says.

Felker - Martin's Future Plans

For her part, Felker - Martin, who has also been vocal in her support of Palestine, says that once she's back on Bluesky, she’ll likely keep a lower profile. When asked if there’s anything making her feel positive right now, she recalls a recent baby shower for a queer family member. “We had this huge crowd of trans and queer people, into which we dropped my very kind and normal parents. And it was just this really pleasant day with all of our lives kind of mixed together and kids running around,” she says. “I think that living in that is the best thing we can do for ourselves right now. Having and making community by being with each other.”