Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) said Donald Trump is among those who need to tone down their rhetoric after the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on Wednesday.
In an Oval Office address on Wednesday Trump blamed the “radical left” for Kirk’s killing while ignoring the role he played in fomenting political violence.
Massie has been on the receiving end of Trump’s attacks recently due to his opposition of the ‘big, beautiful bill’ and his push to release the Epstein files. The lawmaker said Thursday that Trump should look in the mirror.
”I mean, there is a lot of rhetoric. And the president himself engages in it — he called it a hostile act to co-sponsor the Epstein resolution,” Massie said, according to The Hill. “I think that’s ridiculous rhetoric.”
“It’s amusing,” he added. “It doesn’t offend me that he’s over the top with the rhetoric, but some people take it literally, and he should probably tone that down himself.”
Kirk was fatally shot during an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah during a question-and-answer session with students at the university at the latest stop on his ‘The American Comeback Tour’ with his organization Turning Point USA.
Though the shooter’s identity and motivations remained unclear, several right wing figures have blamed ‘the left’. Far-right influencers, Fox News hosts and even some elected officials have called for vengeance after Kirk’s death.
