Left-wing political commentator Hasan Piker was scheduled to debate Charlie Kirk on September 25. However, Kirk was fatally shot on September 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University. The incident has prompted widespread grief and outrage, particularly among Kirk's supporters, who view him as a prominent figure in conservative activism.

In the wake of Kirk's death, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his condolences, while some supporters of Trump have blamed the political left for creating an environment that led to the shooting. Piker, who was set to share a stage with Kirk, described the event as horrifying. "I was horrified because as a political commentator, this is something that's constantly in the back of your mind," Piker said. He noted that he has received numerous death threats, which have intensified since the shooting.

Despite the threats, Piker stated he would remain vigilant and continue his work. He emphasized the ongoing issue of gun violence in the U.S., citing statistics from the Centers for Disease Control, which reported over 46,000 gun-related deaths in 2023, including nearly 18,000 homicides.

Piker expressed concern that Kirk's death could further embolden right-wing figures, including Trump, to push agendas that suppress political dissent. U.S. Vice President JD Vance referenced a YouGov poll indicating that a significant portion of liberal respondents found it acceptable to celebrate the deaths of public figures. Vance stated, "This is not a both-sides problem. If both sides have a problem, one side has a much bigger and more malignant problem, and that is the truth we must be told."

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Steven Miller also commented, vowing to target far-left groups in response to Kirk's death. "We are going to channel all the anger we have over the organized campaign [that] led to this assassination to uproot and dismantle these terrorist networks," Miller said.

Piker anticipated that the administration would use Kirk's death to target political opponents. He noted, "Instantly I knew this was going to be something that the administration will use against those that they've declared political dissidents." He expressed concern over the potential for increased government repression of civil liberties.

Piker has previously faced detention by authorities and fears that the current political climate could lead to further suppression of dissent. "I just hope that the broad American appetite for anger and vengeance will be soothed by how fast they get distracted elsewhere," he said.

The political discourse surrounding Kirk's death has also included accusations of incitement to violence. Elon Musk criticized Piker's past comments, labeling them as "incitement to murder." Piker defended his statements, arguing they were taken out of context and were meant to encourage Democrats to be more aggressive in political debates.

Reflecting on Kirk's evolution as a political figure, Piker noted that Kirk's views had shifted significantly since they first met in 2017. He expressed disappointment that Kirk's controversial opinions were being overlooked in the aftermath of his death. "To state that he was doing politics the right way without actually reflecting on his political output, I think is dishonest," Piker said.

Kirk had been known for his strong opposition to gun control and had made controversial statements regarding various social issues. Piker lamented that the narrative surrounding Kirk's legacy might ignore the more divisive aspects of his ideology.

As the political landscape continues to react to Kirk's death, Piker remains focused on his work while navigating the heightened tensions in the current environment.