Charlie Kirk has been involved in several controversies and has been criticized for various statements and actions considered divisive or harmful:
- He has been described as promoting rhetoric that some groups label as divisive, racist, xenophobic, and extreme. This includes promoting the Cultural Marxism conspiracy theory and expressing anti-affirmative action and anti-diversity views. He has been accused of spreading falsehoods, including misinformation about COVID-19 and human trafficking statistics. For instance, he falsely claimed hydroxychloroquine was 100% effective against COVID-19 and criticized mask mandates and vaccine requirements while spreading misleading information about the virus and vaccines.
- Kirk has made controversial statements about race, civil rights, and social issues. He criticized Martin Luther King Jr., the Civil Rights Act of 1965, and claimed Black communities had high interpersonal violence related to father abandonment. He opposed abortion even in cases of rape, equating it to murder, and expressed controversial opinions about gender, opposing gay marriage and affirmative care for transgender individuals.
- He faced accusations of antisemitism, with some accusing him of promoting conspiratorial views about Jewish influence. Although he has defended his stance by emphasizing his support for Israel and opposition to antisemitism, some of his comments about Jewish donors and cultural influence have been widely criticized.
- Kirk made inflammatory remarks on gun control, stating some gun-related deaths were "worth it" to protect gun rights. He also made controversial comments about minority communities and immigration, drawing criticism for racist and xenophobic undertones.
- His stance on sensitive issues like race, gender identity, COVID-19, and foreign policy often sparked fierce debate and backlash. He was known for provocative statements aimed at challenging liberal positions and was both influential and polarizing among young conservatives.
In summary, Charlie Kirk's "bad things" largely revolve around spreading misinformation, making divisive and controversial statements on race, gender, civil rights, and public health, as well as accusations of promoting conspiracy theories and extremist rhetoric.