Sean Penn, while emphasizing that he opposes most of Charlie Kirk’s views, argued that “we need that guy,” warning that the “horror” of political violence appears to be “coming into fashion.” His remarks arrived as the country continues to process the killing of the conservative commentator and Turning Point USA founder, who was shot mid-appearance at Utah Valley University on September 10.
Kirk, 31, was known for uncompromising rhetoric and a polarizing public presence. His death, which occurred in front of a live audience during a student Q&A that was being livestreamed, quickly became one of the most widely discussed incidents of political violence in recent memory.
Authorities have charged 22-year-old Utah resident Tyler Robinson with multiple offenses, including first-degree murder and unlawful use of a firearm in a public setting. Prosecutors signaled their intention to seek the death penalty, citing premeditation and political motivation as aggravating factors in what they describe as a calculated, ideologically driven attack. Robinson is scheduled to return to court, where his legal team will decide whether to pursue a preliminary hearing—an initial step in which a judge determines if there is sufficient evidence for the case to proceed to trial.
As investigators continue to examine Robinson’s motives and mental state, public reaction has been intense—particularly in entertainment circles, where high-profile figures have faced scrutiny for their responses. Ava Raine, daughter of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, drew backlash after sharing a cryptic post that many took as a dig at Kirk’s legacy; she later deleted it. Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel was briefly suspended by ABC over a monologue referencing the assassination before being reinstated. Actor Michael Keaton also stirred controversy by noting the “irony” of Kirk’s death, a comment critics said made light of the tragedy.
Against that backdrop, Penn offered a more contemplative response. In an interview, the Oscar-winning actor condemned the killing while underscoring the importance of engaging with people who hold opposing views—and doing so without violence.
“It seems different than the members of Congress. It seems different than the insurance executive. It seems even different than the attempt on the president. There’s something about this one.”
Penn, who has sharply criticized Republican leaders in the past, suggested that Kirk’s convictions—however much he disagreed with them—appeared sincere and therefore part of the democratic debate.
“Charlie Kirk, it seemed to me, though I didn’t follow him a lot—one of these people who certainly I disagree with on almost everything—truly believed everything that we disagreed on.”
“I didn’t get the sense that he was one of these snake oil salesmen. I think we need that guy. We need that debate. We’ve gotta fight it out and find a compromise. These things do come into fashion, and the way we kill the fashion of it is people of conscience on both sides recognizing that if somebody really believes something, that’s your friend.”
In a separate conversation, Penn said he was still working through the implications of the assassination and voiced concern that such violence is becoming normalized.
“I was not surprised at all. Like a lot of people, I’ve been worrying that this kind of horror was moving towards coming into fashion.”
“It’s disturbing enough that I would say I’m still processing it. And what its implications are.”
As the nation reckons with the aftermath of Kirk’s killing, Penn’s comments stood out for their focus on the dangers of escalating political hostility and the need to preserve space for vigorous, nonviolent debate—even among those who disagree on almost everything.
