The right wing political commentator Charlie Kirk was shot in the neck at Utah Valley University allegedly by Tyler James Robinson approximately 142 yards away on top of a roof around the university’s campus on Sept 10. Kirk was beloved by some such as Donald Trump, aka the current president of the United States of America, and despised by others like Dean Withers. Another good example of this contrast

Graham Geer is a sophomore who isn’t very political but does support certain things of Kirk’s philosophy and is a Donald Trump supporter. He agrees with Kirk’s beliefs on transgender women and Christ [Christianity]. He According to a text message from Geer, “I agree with him on trans women [transgender women] are not biologically women. I believe in Christ and Christianity.” It is important to note according to a private message between Geer he does make the point he is a Trump supporter as well. Kirk was a huge Trump supporter and had ties with Trump so some of Geer’s opinions are based on Trump’s philosophy as well.

Ryder Elrod is a freshman who doesn’t support Charlie Kirk and Trump in any way. Similar to Geer, he doesn’t really dive into politics but he does try and listen every now and then. When asked about how he feels about Kirk, Elrod says, “I never really agreed with him [his opinions], I just respect him for what he did. I mean speaking publicly like that takes some form of courage. Even if some of his points are erratic.” He was also asked about what he disagrees with the most, Elrod mentioned abortions and how he doesn’t agree that abortions should be illegal. “I don’t agree that like abortions should be outlawed. It’s their body, their choice.” He refused to make any further statements.

During an Interview with Geer, he was asked about how he felt about Kirk’s death, he said, “Honestly I did not really care. But it kinda sucks because he didn’t deserve to die. I mean no one really deserves to die over an opinion.” He then later adds, “But I didn’t know him, but it still sucks.”

Elrod had a more specific response to it. “I mean it’s still a death. We should still show some respect to him even if he wasn’t the greatest guy around. We shouldn’t be, like, fighting each other over it. You can still feel moments and realize that he was still human. He had a family.”

As Geer’s interview kept going he was asked about how this could affect free speech and political commentators, he says he won’t affect it for very long but still have a huge impact. “I think it will affect what they say for a little bit. Especially Republicans.” He then goes briefly on why he thinks Republicans will be affected in a good way by Kirk’s death. “It’ll make the democrats look bad because the person who did it was a democrat and no one wants to be on the side that kills people.” He then adds, “I’m not saying every person will [switch sides from Left Wing to Right Wing] but I am saying most people would.” He had no further comments.

Elrod, however, feels free speech is starting to become limited. “Considering the current state of our president, free speech is becoming more and more limited. And I think Trump recently said hate speech won’t be tolerated which is not a good thing. I think it goes fights [with] our 1st amendment rights. This is the first sign of a dictatorship.” He had no further comments on the subject.