CNN senior White House correspondent Kristen Holmes criticized former President Donald Trump on Friday for escalating political rhetoric rather than helping to tone it down in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
Speaking on Inside Politics, Holmes addressed Trump’s statement earlier that day in which he blamed “radical leftists” for contributing to the rise in political violence. Holmes suggested that Trump’s language was counterproductive, especially in light of recent calls for unity.
“They have consequences on both sides of the aisle,” Holmes said. “Look, this is part of the larger conversation we’re all having — how do you tone it down? As we heard from the Utah governor, Donald Trump’s rhetoric this morning, talking about ‘left radicals’ being the problem, is not the answer to toning it down.”
She acknowledged the strong emotional reactions to Kirk’s death, particularly among his close supporters and conservative figures, noting that the shift from grief to anger is a natural part of mourning. However, she questioned how the country would move forward.
“I think the question now, and I can’t answer it, is how do others try to move forward in a less explosive way?” Holmes asked. “The big question is, where do we go in the weeks and months ahead? And who is going to be the person who helps tone down that rhetoric?”
Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot during a speaking event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. His murder has reignited debates over political violence and public discourse, with figures on both sides calling for restraint — even as tensions continue to rise.
