Charlie Kirk’s DEI Comment Sparks Backlash After His Assassination
*As you no doubt know, Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was assassinated on September 10, 2025, during a speaking event at Utah Valley University.
In the days that followed, a 2023 quote from Kirk criticizing Black women and affirmative action resurfaced, setting off a political firestorm.
Vice President JD Vance, a longtime ally of Kirk, addressed the controversy during a September 15 memorial episode of The Charlie Kirk Show. He denied that Kirk ever made the now-viral statement, sparking fresh debate online.
JD Vance Denies Viral DEI Quote During Memorial Broadcast
Vance rejected claims that Kirk made racist remarks, saying:
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“Charlie Kirk never said Black women do not have the brain processing power to be taken seriously. He never uttered those words.”
He claimed critics were misrepresenting Kirk’s views and called the viral outrage politically motivated. Vance encouraged viewers to watch the full video for context, insisting that the quote was a distortion.
His denial quickly went viral, drawing over 9 million views on X (formerly Twitter), and reigniting scrutiny of Kirk’s words and legacy.
JD Vance: Charlie Kirk never said Black women do not have the brain processing power to be taken seriously. He never uttered those words.
Charlie Kirk: Joy Reid, Michelle Obama, Ketanji Brown Jackson– you do not have the brain processing power to be taken seriously. pic.twitter.com/cyi8Cr69yD
— Ron Smith (@Ronxyz00) September 15, 2025
What the Viral Charlie Kirk Clip Actually Says
The controversy stems from a July 13, 2023 episode of The Charlie Kirk Show. In it, Kirk criticized diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and played a clip of Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee discussing affirmative action. Kirk then made the following remark:
“If we would have said that Joy Reid and Michelle Obama and Sheila Jackson Lee and Ketanji Brown Jackson were affirmative action picks, we would have been called racists. Now they’re coming out and they’re saying it for us… You do not have the brain processing power to otherwise be taken really seriously. You had to go steal a white person’s slot to go be taken somewhat seriously.”
All four women he named are Black. The clip was shared widely in 2023 and again after Kirk’s death, drawing harsh criticism for its language and implications.
Fact-Checkers Confirm the Quote’s Authenticity
Snopes confirmed the audio as authentic on September 12, 2025, labeling claims that the quote was fake as false. The Guardian and Al Jazeera also verified the original clip with timestamps.
Supporters argue that Kirk was criticizing specific individuals and DEI policies—not making a blanket statement about all Black women. Critics say the wording clearly plays into harmful racial and gender stereotypes.
Media Fallout and Political Divide
The controversy spilled into the media when Washington Post columnist Karen Attiah was fired after quoting a paraphrased version of the remark on Bluesky. In her post, she referred to it as Kirk’s “own words on record.”
Conservatives blasted the post, calling it inflammatory. Others said Attiah was right to highlight the racism in Kirk’s comment, especially amid national mourning and ongoing investigations into the shooter, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson.
Kirk’s History of Controversial Remarks
Charlie Kirk had a long history of inflammatory rhetoric, especially around race and education. In 2024, he drew backlash for saying:
“If I see a Black pilot, I’m gonna be like, ‘Boy, I hope he’s qualified.’”
While critics called such remarks racist, supporters praised Kirk for challenging progressive narratives. Comedian Terrence K. Williams defended him, writing: “Charlie Kirk was not a racist… he helped 100s of young Black people.”
Why the Charlie Kirk DEI Comment Still Matters
Kirk’s assassination and the resurfaced clip have amplified ongoing national debates around DEI, racism, and free speech. JD Vance’s defense of Kirk shows how quickly political allies rally to control a narrative, especially after tragedy.
As the clip continues to trend online, Turning Point USA is planning a major memorial. The debate over Kirk’s legacy—and his words—continues to divide the nation.
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