Despite disagreeing with “almost everything” conservative activist Charlie Kirk stood for, Sean Penn said “we need that guy,” warning that the “horror” of political violence is “coming into fashion.”

The nation is still reeling weeks after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative commentator and founder of Turning Point USA, who was gunned down mid-speech at Utah Valley University Sept. 10.

Kirk, 31, known for his hardline rhetoric and polarizing presence in American politics, was shot and killed in front of a live audience during a student event that was also being livestreamed. The brazen act of violence, captured in real time, sent shockwaves across the country and has quickly become one of the most highly publicized acts of political violence in recent memory.

Suspect may get death penalty

Authorities have arrested 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, a Utah native, who now faces seven charges, including first-degree murder and unlawful use of a firearm in a public setting. According to Associated Press (AP), prosecutors have stated their intent to seek the death penalty, citing premeditation and political motivation as aggravating factors in what is being described as a calculated, ideologically driven attack.

Kirk is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 29, where he and his legal team will decide whether to request a preliminary hearing, during which a judge will determine if there is enough evidence for the case to go to trial, AP reports.

Celebrities slammed

As investigators continue to examine Robinson’s motives and mental state, public discourse around the assassination has exploded – particularly in the entertainment world, where celebrities are finding themselves caught in the crossfire of public opinion. Social media has become a battleground, with some stars condemned for their reactions to Kirk’s death.

Ava Raine, the daughter of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, faced intense backlash after reposting a cryptic message that many interpreted as a subtle jab at Kirk’s legacy. The post has since been deleted, but not before sparking widespread debate over whether it crossed a line.

Then came late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, who was briefly suspended by ABC following a monologue that referenced the assassination. Though the network has reinstated him, the controversy has not entirely subsided.

Actor Michael Keaton also raised eyebrows when he remarked on the “irony” of Kirk’s death, presumably alluding to the commentator’s vocal opposition to gun control. His comment ignited fresh criticism, with many accusing him of trivializing the tragedy.

‘We need that guy’

Amid the uproar, Oscar-winning actor Sean Penn, 65, offered a surprisingly measured and somber take. In an interview with the New York Times, the One Battle After Another star condemned Kirk’s killing while emphasizing the need for open political dialogue, even between fierce ideological opponents.

“It seems different than the members of Congress. It seems different than the insurance executive. It seems even different than the attempt on the president. There’s something about this one,” said the I am Sam star, who in 2021 called the Trump administration “obscene” for “gunning down communities that were most vulnerable from a turret at the White House” during Covid-19.

“Charlie Kirk, it seemed to me, though I didn’t follow him a lot – one of these people who certainly I disagree with on almost everything – truly believed everything that we disagreed on,” Penn told the New York Times in a Sept 27. interview.

“I didn’t get the sense that he was one of these snake oil salesmen. I think we need that guy. We need that debate. We’ve gotta fight it out and find a compromise. These things do come into fashion, and the way we kill the fashion of it is people of conscience on both sides recognizing that if somebody really believes something, that’s your friend,” the award-winning actor said.

‘Coming into fashion’

In a separate interview with Vanity Fair, the Mystic River star went further, saying he was “still processing,” and concerned about the “implications” of Kirk’s assassination.

“I was not surprised at all,” he told Vanity Fair less than 24 hours after Kirk was killed. “Like a lot of people, I’ve been worrying that this kind of horror was moving towards coming into fashion.”

He added, “It’s disturbing enough that I would say I’m still processing it. And what its implications are.”

As the country grapples with the implications of Kirk’s assassination, Penn’s remarks stand out not for their shock value, but for their rare willingness to acknowledge the dangers of deepening political divides – from someone who has spent a career both making art and making statements.

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