Batman actor Michael Keaton has paid his respects to the late conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, while observing that there was an “irony” to his death.
“Before we start to get into the meat of this thing, I’m going to take a minute to say that, regardless of how I probably – not probably – have disagreed with many things, Charlie Kirk leaves behind two kids and a wife,” said the star. “You gotta remember that.”
The 74-year-old added: “Because in the end, shooting people will never answer anything, and the irony that he was killed with a gun is unbelievable.”
Kirk, the co-founder of the conservative youth movement Turning Point USA, was fatally shot while hosting an event at a Utah college on 10 September, as he responded to a question about gun violence and mass shootings.
Suspected gunman Tyler Robinson has since been taken into custody on suspicion of capital murder, weapons and obstruction offences.
Keaton was speaking at the Investigative Reporters and Editors’ 50th anniversary gala on Monday, Variety reports, which also featured a speech from 60 Minutes journalist Scott Pelley.
“Charlie Kirk was murdered to silence his speech, and three months earlier, former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were murdered to silence their speech,” Pelley said.
“Many admired Kirk; many did not. His catchphrase was ‘Prove me wrong.’ To some, that phrase was controversial – even dismissive. But the core idea was: Bring the proof and let’s debate.”
“Whether you agreed with Kirk’s ideas or Hortman’s, their murders, their silencing is blood on the First Amendment,” he added.
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Chris Pratt, Meghan McCain and Joe Rogan were among the other celebrities who paid tribute to Kirk following his death.
Recently, during an appearance on Marc Maron’s WTF podcast, Jamie Lee Curtis broke down in tears over the shock killing, while also maintaining that she disagreed with him “on almost every point”.
Elsewhere, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s eldest daughter, WWE star Ava Raine, has faced significant backlash online for a remark she made within hours of Kirk’s death.
On Instagram the she reposted a message that read: “If you want people to have kind words when you pass, you should say kind words when you’re alive.” Raine then added, “and I’ll stand behind this. be kind, now more than ever.”
Her comment has garnered thousands of responses from critics, with one requesting she “do better”.
Kirk’s death has prompted widespread mourning and outrage from both sides of the political sphere. Vice President JD Vance stepped in Monday to host an episode of the late activist’s podcast.
