New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson pushed back against criticism after he offered condolences to the family of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed at a Utah college event earlier this week.
Robinson’s Instagram Posts Draw Mixed Reactions
Robinson initially shared a photo of Kirk with his wife and two children on Instagram, writing: “I feel bad for his family.”
via New York Basketball X accountMitchell Robinson responds to criticisms over his Charlie Kirk sympathy post.
He followed the story with a lengthy message, emphasizing that his intent was not political but rooted in empathy.
“I’m never the type to get into the political field but I just don’t get how people get so sensitive and offended about someone else’s opinion or beliefs,” Robinson wrote. “I respect your mindset and beliefs, but it’s not gonna change what I believe and stand for. … As a father myself, no kid should have to grow up without their father or mother at the end of the day.”
Robinson added that he was unconcerned with public criticism, saying, “You don’t have to like me, you can unfollow, unfriend me, whatever you have to do to never see what I do or say. I couldn’t care less about what you do or think of me.”
Shooting of Conservative Activist Kirk
Kirk, 31, was a prominent conservative activist and a close ally of former President Donald Trump. He founded Turning Point USA, an organization influential in mobilizing young Republican voters, and had been an outspoken presence on the conservative speaking circuit.
He was shot on Wednesday while speaking under a tent at Utah Valley University. Video circulating online showed Kirk clutching his neck as blood gushed from a wound moments after a single gunshot rang out. Authorities later described the killing as a politically motivated assassination carried out from a rooftop near the event.
Spectators screamed and scattered after the shot, while Kirk was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox called the killing “a despicable act of political violence.”
Previous Controversy Over Trump Post
Robinson, 27, has faced similar scrutiny before. In July 2024, when Trump was fired upon during a political rally in Pennsylvania, the Knicks center posted “Prayers for Trump” on his private X account, as shared by New York Basketball.
That comment also drew mixed reactions, prompting Robinson to clarify that his concern was not political allegiance but the broader issue of public safety.
“I don’t care about that election [expletive],” Robinson later explained in an Instagram story. “My only thing about this is … for someone to have all that security and still almost die after that, now I’m like damn! What about my daughter’s safety? That’s all big dawg.”
Robinson’s Career at a Crossroads
Robinson has not publicly declared a political affiliation and has described himself simply as a “country boy.”
On the court, the 7-foot center enters a pivotal season. He is in the final year of his contract with New York and does not yet have an extension in place.
Robinson returned last February from offseason ankle surgery and appeared in 17 regular-season games, averaging 5.1 points and 5.9 rebounds. During the Knicks’ run to the Eastern Conference finals, he played in 18 postseason games and averaged 4.7 points and 7.1 rebounds, including four starts.
Now, as the Knicks prepare for the 2025-26 season, Robinson’s future remains uncertain — both with the franchise and in the public eye, where his social media posts have become an occasional flashpoint.
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