MORGANTOWN — Democratic West Virginia State Rep. Anitra L. Hamilton faced sharp criticism Thursday after posting comments on social media about Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist and Turning Point USA founder who was shot and killed Wednesday during a speaking event at Utah Valley University.
In posts on Facebook less than 24 hours after Kirk’s death, Hamilton appeared to accuse him of racism and domestic terrorism and drew a comparison between Kirk and Decarlos Brown Jr., the man who fatally stabbed a Ukrainian refugee on a light rail train in Charlotte, North Carolina, in August.
“You can murder ONE woman on a train by stabbing her in the neck and be condemned by the masses or you can travel the nation spewing hatred and racism, harming thousands and be loved by the masses… and both have the same outcome,” Hamilton wrote.
She also suggested that Kirk, a devout Christian who frequently referenced scripture, could promote religious beliefs while still being racist. In another post, Hamilton described “speaking words of a racist nature” as “acts of domestic terrorism upon the souls of American people.”
Hamilton, elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates in 2023, represents Monongalia County along the northern border of the state.
State Sen. Chris Rose (R-2, Monongalia) condemned Hamilton’s remarks, calling Kirk’s death a national tragedy and her comments dangerous.
“The brutal assassination of Charlie Kirk is a heartbreaking loss for our nation and a stark reminder of the rising tide of political violence that threatens the very fabric of our republic,” Rose told Mountaineer Journal. “Charlie was a fierce defender of free speech, conservative values, and the principles that make America great.”
Sen. Rose said Kirk’s murder should be a moment of unity, not division.
“His life was cut short by a cowardly act of hatred, and every American – regardless of political affiliation – should mourn this senseless tragedy and stand united against the forces that fuel such evil,” he said. “Instead, Delegate Hamilton chose to spew venom on social media, equating Kirk’s murder to the heinous stabbing of an innocent woman on a train and accusing him of ‘spewing hatred and racism’ that ‘harms thousands.’ Her words – falsely claiming that he ‘spoke words of a racist nature… are acts of domestic terrorism’ – are not just wrong; they are dangerous,” he said.
Rose warned that Hamilton’s rhetoric sent the wrong message.
“By justifying or minimizing the murder of a man for his ideas, Hamilton reveals a mindset that has no place in public service,” he said. “This isn’t leadership; it’s a call to arms against those who dare to disagree. As a fourth-generation coal miner and a proud conservative who has fought for West Virginia families in the state Senate, I believe in the power of ideas to change the world – not bullets or knives.”
He added that Hamilton’s rhetoric not only dishonored Kirk’s memory but also the people she represents.
“Hamilton’s rhetoric doesn’t just dishonor Charlie Kirk’s memory; it dishonors the people of Monongalia County and every West Virginian who values civility, respect, and the rule of law,” Rose said.
Rose concluded by calling on Hamilton to retract her remarks and apologize.
“I call on Delegate Hamilton to apologize immediately, retract her statements, and reflect on how her words contribute to the very division that led to this horrific act,” he said.
“West Virginia deserves better than elected officials who celebrate violence under the guise of political discourse,” Rose added. “Let us honor Charlie Kirk by recommitting to the free exchange of ideas, protecting our Second Amendment rights, and rejecting the radical left’s tolerance for hate in all its forms.”
Kirk, 31, was a nationally recognized conservative figure and a devout Christian. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox described his death as a political assassination. The suspect in Kirk’s shooting remains at large.
