Gov. Spencer Cox (R-UT) addressed the legacy of late political activist Charlie Kirk during multiple national news appearances over the weekend.
Cox spoke on CNN’s State of the Union Sunday, where he said, “Charlie said some very inflammatory things, and in some corners of the web, that‘s all people have heard.”
This sentence has not been well received by MAGA supporters. In response, some highlighted old tweets from Kirk ripping Cox, including one that read, “Utah Governor Spencer Cox should be expelled from the Republican party.”
Another stated in part, “Cox is refusing to protect women’s sports… He is likely being paid off by Big Pharma who make billions off hormone blockers and chemical castration.”
Cox added during his CNN interview that Kirk’s words included other themes often overlooked in the current debate.
Among Kirk’s comments over the years was a statement defending the importance of the Second Amendment, even at significant cost.
The governor specifically referenced Kirk’s emphasis on forgiveness. “But he also said some other things, about forgiveness,” Cox noted.
Kirk once said, “I think it’s worth to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the Second Amendment to protect our other God-given rights.“
“That is a prudent deal. It is rational.”
Kirk also drew attention for his remarks about civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
The Washington Examiner carefully noted that reports surfaced that he described King as “a bad guy” and that he regarded the Civil Rights Act as a mistake.
Kirk confirmed those claims during an episode of The Charlie Kirk Show last year.
During that broadcast, Kirk read from a reporter’s request for comment.
“‘As we note in the piece, Kirk has previously described [King] as a hero and a civil rights icon,’” Kirk read aloud.
He then added, “It’s true. I used to be wrong.”
Cox said on CNN that Kirk’s record contained more than just his divisive remarks.
He pointed to messages that encouraged Americans to strengthen their communities through faith and personal connection.
“[Kirk] said some amazing things about when things get dark, putting down our phones, reading scripture, going to church, talking to our neighbors,” Cox explained.
“He said that we have to engage. And that‘s what I appreciate most about Charlie Kirk is that if we don‘t, if we don‘t keep talking, that‘s when the violence starts.”
The Utah governor emphasized that Kirk’s legacy, while complicated, should not be judged solely on his most “inflammatory” words.
Cox said his broader message included calls to faith, scripture and communication as solutions to prevent violence.
The Examiner further noted that in addition to his appearance on CNN, Cox joined NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday, where he revealed that President Donald Trump is monitoring potential unrest closely.
“I don’t do much national press anymore,” Cox told NBC.
“The White House asked us to come on and talk about this because they are worried about the escalation that’s happening out there.”
Cox stated that Trump wants to prevent violent retaliation linked to heightened political tensions following Kirk’s death and the debates surrounding his legacy.
The governor indicated that discussions are ongoing at the national level to encourage peaceful responses.
