Chicago City Wire

Florian Sohnke, founder of the Chicago Contrarian, said he feels “deep sympathy” for Charlie Kirk and his family following the assassination of the Turning Point USA founder and Illinois native, adding that Kirk should be “remembered fondly” for encouraging young adults to think critically about complex topics through public debate.

"Almost immediately after overcoming a sense of sadness, I attempted to understand what could possibly be accomplished by taking Kirk’s life? How could someone be so utterly consumed with rage they would be inspired to murder over political differences?” Sohnke told Chicago City Wire.

The legacy of Kirk, 31, who was born in Arlington Heights and graduated from Wheeling High School, includes transforming Turning Point USA from its humble beginnings in a Lemont garage into a conservative youth organization with 3,500 high school and college chapters across the country. 

“He was loathed by the political Left because entirely because he was a conservative,” he said. “Though Kirk was often accused of being racist, anti-LGBTQ, misogynistic, sexist, or anti-trans, the accusations landed with a thud because most understand the charges are standard fare for the Left.” 

Known for his close ties to President Donald Trump, Kirk built TPUSA into a $92 million national movement. He also hosted a widely followed podcast, radio show and had more than 25 million followers on social media.

Kirk’s suspected shooter is reportedly an Antifa supporter who lived with a transgender lover. Pro-Antifa and pro-trans messages were carved onto the bullets found in the rifle allegedly used in the assassination, according to officials. 

“Though I never met Kirk or attended any Kirk public appearances, I believe he inspired countless college students to rethink their worldview,” Sohnke said. “Kirk did so by reintroducing multidimensional thinking, mainly political, to students in his campus visits. Kirk understood how tenured radical faculty had narrowed the range of students’ thinking and sought to enlighten students in public debate.” 

“For this, Kirk should be remembered fondly by helping young adults to move beyond linear or singular viewpoints to gain a nuanced insight into complex issues.” 

Sohnke directed particular criticism toward Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who, shortly after the assassination, blamed Trump and conservative rhetoric for Kirk’s death. 

“I think there are people who are fomenting it in this country,” Pritzker said. “I think the president’s rhetoric often foments it.”

“I’m disgusted with the way Governor Pritzker addressed this tragic incident,” Sohnke said. “At a moment in which a life was taken for purely political reasons, Pritzker politicized the incident, shamelessly, for his political gain. For the governor to blame ideological opposites for violence was a complete disgrace.” 

Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), said in a now-viral social media post that the political Left’s rhetoric was responsible for Kirk’s death. 

“I am done with the rhetoric this rotten House and corrupt media has caused,” Luna said on X. “Every damn one of you who called us fascists did this."   

“You were too busy doping up kids, cutting off their genitals, inciting racial violence by supporting orgs that exploit minorities, protecting criminals, and stirring hate.” 

“You are the hate you claim to fight. Your words caused this. Your hate caused this.” 

“Luna’s words are accurate,” Sohnke said. “The accusations have clearly ginned up violence and have encouraged some fringe progressives to resort to targeting conservatives, activists and lawmakers. Consider the attempted assassination of then-candidate Trump, twice, the attempted murder of Steve Scalise, or the destruction of conservatives’ personal property such as homes or Trump signs.”  

Sohnke linked escalating political rhetoric to real-world violence.

“Indeed, I do believe progressives’ language contributed to Kirk’s death,” he said. “In the past decade, progressive politicians have reflexively labeled conservative lawmakers, activists, and voters Nazis, fascists, white nationalists, or supporters of tyranny. Undoubtably, this language has conditioned the political left to despise conservatives and conservatism. Worse, most of this language is couched the belief common among progressives they are morally superior to conservatives.”  

In contrast, Sohnke praised the restraint shown by conservatives in the wake of the tragedy.

“Thus far, I am pleased with the response,” he said. “Conservatives have roundly condemned the assassination, violence, and many have sought refuge in organized religion for comfort. Thankfully, no conservative or conservative group has called for or engaged in violent action or violent protest.” 

Kirk was murdered on Sept. 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University during the opening event of his “American Comeback Tour,” aimed at countering what he described as “anti-American sentiment” on college campuses.

Kirk is survived by his wife, Erika Frantzve, and their two young children, who were in attendance at what would become Kirk's final speaking engagement.