The political world is still reeling after the murder of conservative activist, Charlie Kirk, and now Utah Governor, Spencer Cox, is breaking his silence — and he’s not holding anything back. In a recent press conference following the arrest of the suspect, Tyler Robinson, Governor Cox was visibly emotional while addressing the weight of what he called a moment much “bigger than an attack on an individual.” However, not everyone was feeling the governor’s choice of words — and social media had plenty to say.
RELATED: Mugshot Released After Police Take Charlie Kirk’s Suspected Shooter, Tyler Robinson, Into Custody (UPDATE)
Governor Spencer Cox Speaks Out After Authorities Arrest Suspect In Charlie Kirk’s Death
After a 33-hour manhunt ended with Tyler Robinson identified as the suspect, Governor Cox addressed the nation in an emotionally raw press conference. “I am as angry as I have ever been.” Additionally, he called the killing “an attack on all of us,” and admitted the heartbreak hit even harder knowing the suspect wasn’t some outsider, but someone from their own community.
However, not everyone was here for his emotional take. Cox faced backlash online, with some critics accusing him of leaning into harmful narratives that often paint BIPOC communities as inherently violent or criminal. Many pointed to his comments about wishing the suspect were “from another country” as troubling, saying it feeds into the same rhetoric used to justify racial profiling.
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“It is an attack on the American experiment. It is an attack on our ideals. This cuts to the very foundation of who we are, of who we have been, and who we could be in better times,” he shared. “For the last 33 hours, I had been praying that this person (who murdered Charlie Kirk) was from another country. That he was not one of us because we are not like that. But, it was one of us,” Cox added.
Spencer Cox Sends A Message To The Next Generation
In the midst of the emotion and outrage, Governor Spencer Cox turned his attention to the younger generation, who he believes are inheriting a political climate fueled by division and anger.
“To my young friends out there, you are inheriting a country where politics feels like rage. But… we have a reminder that we can choose a different path,” Cox added.
Social Media Is Split Over Cox’s Comments
As Governor Cox’s speech made rounds online, folks ran to The Shade Room comment section — and let’s just say, opinions were all over the place. Some couldn’t believe a governor, of all people, would say he wished the suspect were from another country, while others were too busy clocking FBI Director Kash Patel’s facial expressions in the background. See some of the responses below.
One Instagram user, @kb.scoe, wrote, “Translation- ‘I was hoping it was a black man or an immigrant. But it hurts me to know it’s a YT man’“
This Instagram user @latrezanderson said, “That man in the back was ready to risk it all“
And, Instagram user @prince_ea added, “This is the very core of the problem. The ‘us’ vs ‘them’ mentality“
Meanwhile, Instagram user @imtrickdaddy commented, “one of YALL don’t bring us minorities in this“
While Instagram user @alice.chishimba said, “With a foreigner standing behind him 😂”
And, Instagram user @____shyrah wrote, “The guy in the back like ‘I know you f*cking lying‘”
Instagram user @hairbyashnicole shared, “Baby ain’t nobody going to Utah“
Lastly, Instagram user @chelssssi added, “Very interesting comment hmm 🤔”
