What did Charlie Kirk say about George floyd
Charlie Kirk, founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, made several controversial statements about George Floyd and his death in 2020, frequently promoting debunked claims
. Comments on Floyd’s death
- Called Floyd a “scumbag”: In a 2021 speech in Mankato, Minnesota, Kirk referred to George Floyd as a “scumbag”. He argued that the racial justice movement following Floyd’s death was an overreaction pushed by “corrupt” voices and that Floyd was unworthy of the attention he received.
- Spread misinformation about cause of death: On multiple occasions, including in a 2025 article for the British magazine The Spectator, Kirk falsely claimed that Floyd died of a drug overdose rather than due to police brutality. This claim has been widely debunked; the Hennepin County Medical Examiner officially ruled Floyd’s death a homicide caused by “cardiopulmonary arrest complicating law enforcement subdual, restraint, and neck compression”.
- Framed the national reaction as a “lie”: Kirk asserted that the outrage following Floyd’s death was built on a “lie” and misrepresented the actions of the police officer involved.
Criticism of the George Floyd movement
- Dismissed racial injustice concerns: In his 2021 speech, Kirk suggested that the racial reckoning was a “misinterpretation” of events. He implied that the focus on racial justice was overblown and intentionally destructive to society.
- Used Floyd as a counterpoint in political arguments: On social media, Kirk has contrasted the public’s reaction to Floyd’s death with other violent crimes, questioning why certain deaths receive more outrage than others and using the comparison for political advantage.
Wider context
Kirk’s remarks about George Floyd are consistent with his broader pattern of highly divisive and inflammatory rhetoric on issues of race and social justice. These comments fueled his rise as a prominent conservative provocateur, though they also drew significant criticism.
