European leaders react to the death of Charlie Kirk: ‘Dark day for American democracy’
“He has been killed for saying things that used to be simple common sense,” wrote former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson in an X post. “He has been killed because he had the courage to stand up publicly for reasonable opinions held by millions and millions of ordinary people both in the US and Britain. The world has a shining new martyr to free speech.”
Leader of Reform UK Nigel Farage also weighed in, writing “This is a very dark day for American democracy. I am desperately sad for Charlie, his wife and children.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni added she was “shocked” by the tragedy. “I am shocked by the news of the killing of Charlie Kirk, a young and followed Republican activist,” wrote Meloni in a translated X post.
“An atrocious murder, a deep wound for democracy and for those who believe in freedom. My condolences to his family, to his loved ones, and to the American conservative community,” Meloni concluded.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the subject of some of Kirk’s concerns about free speech, belatedly expressed his condolences: “My thoughts this evening are with the loved ones of Charlie Kirk. It is heartbreaking that a young family has been robbed of a father and a husband. We must all be free to debate openly and freely without fear – there can be no justification for political violence.”
–Dwight Widaman
