Was Charlie Kirk killer driven by political beliefs? What Americans say in poll

Most Americans think the person who assassinated Charlie Kirk was driven by political beliefs, according to a new YouGov poll. Yet, public opinion remains split on identifying the exact nature of those convictions.

The survey — conducted Sept. 14 with 2,355 U.S. adults — comes four days after Kirk, an influential conservative activist, was shot and killed while speaking to a large crowd at Utah Valley University.

Following a dayslong manhunt, law enforcement officials said they apprehended a suspect, identified as 22-year-old Utah resident Tyler Robinson.

The case has captured significant national attention. Scores of politicians from both sides of the aisle quickly condemned the shooting and denounced political violence. President Donald Trump ordered flags across the country to fly at half-staff in tribute to Kirk, while Vice President JD Vance accompanied his casket back to Arizona aboard Air Force Two.

Killer driven by political beliefs

In the poll, a slim majority of respondents, 51%, said they believe Kirk’s killer was motivated by political beliefs. Twenty-one percent said they were fueled by “something other than political beliefs” and 28% said they were not sure.

A noticeable partisan divide emerged on this question.

Most Republicans, 63%, said the killer was driven by political views, while less than half of Democrats and independents — 44% and 46%, respectively — said the same.

What political beliefs?

Respondents were also asked about the partisan affiliation of Kirk’s killer, resulting in split reactions.

Twenty-four percent said that, as far as they know, the person who shot Kirk is a Republican, while 21% said the shooter is a Democrat. Fifteen percent said the killer is affiliated with neither major party, and a plurality, 40%, said they’re not sure.

Republicans were more likely to believe the shooter is a Democrat, while Democrats and independents were more prone to describe the assassin as a Republican.

In recent days, more information has emerged about Robinson’s political background and possible motives.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, a Republican, said Robinson — who was turned in by his father — was “deeply indoctrinated with leftist ideology” and stated that he was romantically involved with his roommate, who he said is transgender.

Cox said bullet casings found at Utah Valley University linked to Robinson were etched with references to fascism and internet memes. One reportedly read, in part, “Hey fascist! Catch!”

Robinson, who briefly attended Utah State University in 2021, was raised by a Republican family in southern Utah, according to the New York Times. Former classmates and neighbors described him as a shy, intelligent man who had an affinity for video games.

An attorney for Robinson, who has not been charged, could not be reached for comment by McClatchy News.

More information is expected to come to light in the near future, Cox told ABC News on Sept. 14.

Response from politicians

Respondents in the poll — which has a margin of error of 2.6 percentage points — were also asked whether Republican and Democratic officials “generally have responded appropriately to the death of Charlie Kirk.”

Twenty percent said both sides have reacted appropriately, while 21% said only Republicans have and 17% said only Democrats have. Sixteen percent said neither side has responded appropriately and 26% said they were not sure.

Here, again, there was a major partisan divide. A plurality of Republicans, 45%, said only GOP politicians have reacted correctly, while a plurality of Democrats, 35%, said the same of Democratic politicians.

Numerous lawmakers and leading political figures from both sides of the aisle — including every former living president — have condemned Kirk’s killing and called for calm.

Some Republicans, including Trump, have specifically called out violence perpetrated by “radical left” individuals and organizations.

On Sept. 11, a group of 23 House Republicans formally requested that a committee be established to investigate left-wing entities driving what they described as a “coordinated attack” on conservatives.

“Let’s not pretend this is an even playing field,” South Carolina Rep. Ralph Norman, one of the letter signers, previously told McClatchy News. “In recent years, we’ve seen organized and well-funded efforts from the radical left to intimidate, disrupt, silence, and even justify violence against Americans they don’t agree with.”

In response, Rep. Lloyd Doggett, a Texas Democrat, said “Instead of lowering the temperature, Trump is spiking it. We should be united in rejecting violence, but this partisan, one-sided approach only adds fuel to the fire.”

Experts previously told McClatchy News that no one political party holds a monopoly on political violence in the U.S. Among perpetrators of violence, the common denominator, instead, appears to be social isolation and mental illness.

This story was originally published September 15, 2025 at 11:04 AM with the headline "Was Charlie Kirk killer driven by political beliefs? What Americans say in poll."