Hillary Clinton is facing sharp criticism from conservatives after promoting American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingarten’s new book, Why Fascists Fear Teachers, just one week following the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.
Clinton shared a photo of Weingarten holding the book on social media, calling it “a critical read for this moment” and emphasizing its focus on threats to public education and democracy.
Conservative commentators have noted that Clinton’s post reflects a pattern in which she and other liberal figures have repeatedly labeled conservatives, President Donald Trump and his supporters as fascists, extremists or Nazis.
Years ago, Kirk himself addressed this rhetoric on “The View” in several social media posts, warning that equating political opponents with authoritarian regimes could escalate tensions and contribute to a climate of hostility.
Critics argue that Clinton’s latest social media post continues this trajectory of incendiary messaging at a particularly sensitive time.
The immediate backlash came from prominent right-leaning figures.
Republican strategist Matt Whitlock tweeted, “It’s been one week since Charlie Kirk was murdered by a lunatic who wrote about ‘fascists’ on shell casings. Now, Randi Weingarten has a new book arguing everyone who disagrees with her views on public education…is a fascist.”
American Culture Project senior fellow Corey DeAngelis described Clinton and Weingarten’s actions on X as “unabated and reckless political messaging right after a political assassination.”
Conservative commentator Jack Posobiec added, “Here’s Hillary Clinton today—continuing to brand conservatives as ‘fascists’ just a week after a political assassination.”
The Republican National Committee also expressed concern, tweeting that repeated use of such language risks normalizing aggression and fostering a hostile environment toward conservative individuals and organizations.
The group emphasized that public figures must consider the real-world consequences of their statements, particularly during periods of heightened political tension.
The Pavement Education Project warned, “On the heels of Charlie Kirk’s horrific murder, the far-left is not cooling down their inflammatory rhetoric…There will be more violence.”
Clinton’s post quickly drew attention on social media, accumulating more than two million views.
In response to the criticism, Weingarten defended her book in a statement to Fox News, calling it “a love letter to teachers” and clarifying that it examines threats to democratic institutions and public education rather than targeting any political party.
The incident has reignited debate over the boundaries of political discourse in the United States.
Critics maintain that while free speech is legally protected, high-profile individuals have a responsibility to consider the timing, context and potential consequences of their messaging.
Conservatives argue that unchecked rhetoric not only intensifies partisan divisions but also increases the likelihood of real-world harm to public officials and private citizens alike.
As discussions continue on social media and across news platforms, Clinton’s promotion of Weingarten’s book serves as a flashpoint in a broader conversation about accountability, responsible communication and the impact of inflammatory rhetoric on political and social stability.
Conservatives warn that the left’s messaging shows no signs of restraint, raising concerns about the safety of prominent figures and everyday citizens in today’s polarized political environment.
