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Before the deadly shooting, few figures of Europe’s rising far right had spoken of Charlie Kirk. After the incident, though, the propaganda potential of his death is clear to all.

What Happened

The conservative figure, an influential voice within the former president’s political base, was struck in the neck while addressing a crowd in the US state on 10 September. A 22-year-old suspect has been charged, though his alleged motives remain unclear.

Seizing the Narrative

That has not stopped, far-right figureheads throughout the continent seizing on the killing to attack progressive movements, presenting Kirk’s death as an inevitable result of what they call a ongoing smear effort aimed at muzzling them.

“We must stop the divisive left!” declared Hungary’s prime minister. Spain’s Vox leader added: “Censorship is not enough for them – they turn to murder.”

A French far-right representative claimed that “dehumanising rhetoric of the left … encourages extremist acts”. Alice Weidel said the activist had been shot by “an extremist who hates traditional values”.

Building a Symbol

The goal, analysts note, is to raise Kirk to the status of a symbol for the conservative cause, and a target of ideological hostility – simultaneously giving more credibility to the right’s positions, and harming on the left.

“Symbolic victimhood is a social operation to recast a ethically wrong act of violence into a story,” noted an expert. “In this case, the far right is constructing a narrative of persecution, with one executioner: the left.”

Some within the movement were surprisingly candid about making use of the event. “We should not be ashamed in ‘politicising Kirk’s death – or turning it to our advantage,” urged an adviser associated with Marine Le Pen’s circle.

Rallying Support

At a political event organized by a Spanish party in the capital, a stirring video tribute to Kirk impressed the crowd. To loud cheers, Abascal told attendees that the left “do not kill us for our beliefs – they label us in order to justify violence”.

André Ventura claimed the killing showed that “debate” had given way to “hatred, persecution and murder”. Giorgia Meloni told the crowd, stating that Kirk’s “death … demonstrates clearly which side the aggression and bigotry are on … We will continue without rest for our people’s freedom.”

In London, a significant demonstration led by Tommy Robinson – including supporters from France, Belgium, and abroad – held a moment of remembrance for their hero.

Growing Influence

These actions would carry less weight if right-wing parties were not gaining ground. Populist and far-right parties are in government in several nations, Hungary, Belgium, and Slovakia, and are the leading parties in multiple states, the Holland, the Czech Republic, and the United Kingdom.

In Finland and Croatia, they are part of conservative-led coalitions, and in Sweden, they provide parliamentary support to another. In the south, Vox is gaining popularity, and in the Iberian Peninsula, Chega is in the lead ahead of upcoming votes.

Worryingly, strict positions – on migration, religion, the environment, EU integration, social norms – are becoming normalised across Europe as mainstream parties ape them in a vain attempt to maintain their electoral support.

Resisting the Narrative

Through a passionate op-ed, a European politician – who received death threats after objecting to calls for a tribute for Kirk – said that while Kirk’s killing was an atrocity, he had “glorified racial segregation, advocated women return to the home, attacked homosexuality, blamed Jewish people for supporting immigration … and compared reproductive rights to the Holocaust”.

She noted being among few to speak out and insist that a difference be made between condemning the assassination and supporting the victim’s views.

“It is not respect for the dead they want; it’s the right to insult and hate the living who do not resemble them … This isn’t free expression they champion, it is the acceptance of their radical views. In America, as in Europe.”

In the present circumstances, opposing the organized effort for making him a symbol – “staying calm, sticking to what we are” – is of paramount importance.