The right loves to use violence, or threats of violence, as a cudgel against their enemies. A lot of their messaging relies on them seeming strong and powerful. For example, why do you think every time trump generates an AI image of himself, he’s always jacked as hell?
Just like how when neo-Nazi Richard Spencer was punched in the face, he later said he was afraid to go out in public and decided not to go harass people at a women’s march he had been planning to go to, someone like Charlie Kirk getting shot can prevent his messaging from spreading as much going forward.
If he lives, he’ll be afraid to do as many public appearances, and will probably need to spend a lot more money on private security, stay further away from crowds, and not be able to personally greet people up close.
If he dies, other conservative commentators might fear the same fate happening to them, and could also face similar effects as a result.
Trump’s shooting was more of a special case, because he has a significant cult of personality, so it was very easy to make him a martyr. But look at him now, always behind bulletproof glass at speeches, looking cowardly by comparison, and he’s been justifiably mocked for it time and time again. Even being shot and turned into a martyr can’t prevent the ridicule you’ll get from looking like a pathetic, weak crony attempting to look like a strongman.
The right loves to use violence, or threats of violence, as a cudgel against their enemies. A lot of their messaging relies on them seeming strong and powerful. For example, why do you think every time trump generates an AI image of himself, he’s always jacked as hell?
Just like how when neo-Nazi Richard Spencer was punched in the face, he later said he was afraid to go out in public and decided not to go harass people at a women’s march he had been planning to go to, someone like Charlie Kirk getting shot can prevent his messaging from spreading as much going forward.
If he lives, he’ll be afraid to do as many public appearances, and will probably need to spend a lot more money on private security, stay further away from crowds, and not be able to personally greet people up close.
If he dies, other conservative commentators might fear the same fate happening to them, and could also face similar effects as a result.
Trump’s shooting was more of a special case, because he has a significant cult of personality, so it was very easy to make him a martyr. But look at him now, always behind bulletproof glass at speeches, looking cowardly by comparison, and he’s been justifiably mocked for it time and time again. Even being shot and turned into a martyr can’t prevent the ridicule you’ll get from looking like a pathetic, weak crony attempting to look like a strongman.