“DARK MOMENT”
Reflecting the highly political nature of the killing, Kirk’s coffin was transported to his home city of Phoenix on JD Vance’s official plane.
Footage showed the vice president with his hands on the casket as it was carried to Air Force 2.
Kirk’s widow, Erika, held hands with Vance’s wife after the plane arrived in Arizona, the headquarters of the powerful Turning Point USA.
The right-wing mediasphere remained in a state of heightened emotion Thursday, with Fox News contributors recounting the impact Kirk had on their lives.
Conspiracy theories ricocheted around the internet, while calls for a return to civility in political discourse vied with those demanding vengeance.
“THIS IS WAR”, wrote the popular right-wing X account of @LibsofTikTOK.
Fox News host Jesse Watters on Wednesday said the killing showed his side of the political spectrum was under attack.
“Whether we want to accept it or not, they are at war with us. And what are we going to do about it?” he asked his audience.
Trump, however, urged supporters to respond peacefully, telling reporters that Kirk had been “an advocate of nonviolence.”
“That’s the way I’d like to see people respond,” he said.
