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A Good Morning Britain guest has left viewers furious after a discussion about the death of American political commentator, Charlie Kirk.
The conservative influencer, who co-founded the right-wing youth organisation Turning Point USA, was fatally shot in the neck while speaking to students at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.
Mr Kirk, 31, who had been credited with helping Donald Trump win the 2024 presidential election, was answering a question about gun violence in the US when he was killed.
Celebrities have since taken to social media to share their reactions to the shocking moment, including TV presenter Jimmy Kimmel who described the assassination as ‘senseless’ and sent his love to all victims of gun violence.
Now, however, GMB viewers have called a guest on the show ‘shameful’ for comparing Mr Kirk to a former leader of the Ku Klux Klan.
Joining regular hosts Kate Garraway and Ed Balls, Conservative politician Michael Gove and author Nels Abbey discussed the shooting this morning.
Mr Gove spoke first to say: ‘He was a sort of Cicero for the TikTok age.
‘He was someone who deliberately set out to debate on campuses across the country in order to spread the MAGA message, the Trump gospel.
‘He was an evangelical Christian, a convinced Conservative, and actually a very attractive speaker who had been very successful in convincing younger voters to vote for Trump.’
He added: ‘His assassination is – and this is the tragedy – the latest political assassination to afflict America.’
However, Mr Abbey then chipped in to say: ‘Can I just say something? I don’t believe he was a Cicero for the TikTok age, I believe he was a David Duke for the TikTok age.’
After Ms Garraway asked him to explain who that way, he replied: ‘He was the former Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan.
‘Now, this is by no means trying to justify his murder. Political violence is wrong at home; it’s wrong abroad. Political violence must be condemned, as must the propagandising for political violence and the dehumanisation of people.
‘Charlie Kirk was somebody who… I shiver, particularly for Conservatives when he’s described as Conservative, because he wasn’t. He was quite clearly and comfortably a supremacist.’
Responding on X, @Bradpittkin said ‘Nels Abbey on Good Morning Britain just compared Charlie Kirk to a KKK leader and called him a white supremacist… whilst pretending to show some sympathy for the murder.
‘Shameful ..considering it is less than 24 hours since the event. R.I.P.’
@FairPla10666650 added: ‘@GMB Are you happy with Nels Abbey comparing Charlie Kirk to a Ku Klux Klan leader? 12 hours after he was assassinated?’
@shaddick also qiestioned: ‘Did Nels Abbey just refer to Charlie Kirk as KKK leader?’
Meanwhile, @Hannah1199261 wrote: ‘I am absolutely disgusted with Nels Abbey @nelsabbey, on his derogatory remarks about Charlie Kirk. Shame on you.’
As of Thursday morning, a suspect remains at large and Utah authorities have stated that the shooter wore dark clothing and shot from a roof on campus from a distance away.
Tibutes have poured in for Mr Kirk, including from President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Mr Starmer said: ‘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.’
Metro has contacted ITV for comment.
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