Hillary Clinton faces backlash for promoting book warning about ‘fascists’ after Charlie Kirk shooting

WASHINGTON, DC: Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is facing backlash after posting on X congratulating American Federation of Teachers (AFT) president Randi Weingarten for her new book, 'Why Fascists Fear Teachers'.

Critics accused Clinton of fueling divisive rhetoric just a week after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot at Utah Valley University.

Clinton congratulates Weingarten on ‘Why Fascists Fear Teachers’

Clinton’s post, shared Wednesday, September 17, included a photo of Weingarten holding the book and drew sharp criticism from conservative commentators who said her remarks continued a dangerous trend of labeling political opponents as “fascists.”

“Congratulations to my friend [Weingarten] on ‘Why Fascists Fear Teachers,’” Clinton wrote on X. “From banning books to controlling curriculum, authoritarians go after public education because it's a cornerstone of democracy. Randi's new book is a critical read for this moment.”

Weingarten’s book, released Tuesday, September 16, argues that attacks on schools and teachers have long been a hallmark of authoritarian regimes. According to its preview, “Fascists fear teachers because teachers foster an educated and empowered population that can see past propaganda and scare tactics.”

Conservatives link post to Charlie Kirk’s shooting rhetoric

The timing of Clinton’s post, just one week after Kirk’s shooting, was condemned by several right-leaning figures. “It’s been one week since Charlie Kirk was murdered by a lunatic who wrote about ‘fascists’ on shell casings,”

Republican strategist Matt Whitlock wrote on X, “Now, Randi Weingarten has a new book arguing everyone who disagrees with her views on public education … is a fascist.”

Corey DeAngelis, a senior fellow at the American Culture Project, called Clinton and Weingarten’s messaging “disgusting rhetoric right after Charlie Kirk’s assassination.”

Conservative influencer Jack Posobiec posted, “Charlie Kirk was murdered exactly one week ago. Here’s Hillary Clinton today.”

“Democrats Hillary Clinton and Randi Weingarten are still suggesting Republicans are ‘fascists,’” the Republican National Committee posted on X. “They really can’t help themselves, can they?” Huntington Beach City Council member Andrew Gruel also criticized the framing, writing: “They wrote an entire book on a word they don’t even understand.”

Investigative reporter Chuck Ross posted, “The room. That’s what y’all should read.”

Randi Weingarten responds and outlines book’s message

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Weingarten defended the book and pushed back on critics. “Have they read the book?” she said. “If they did they’d discover it’s a love letter to teachers.”

Her book elaborates on how she believes “fascist ideology” undermines democracy, opportunity and public education. “Attacks on schools and teachers have long been a hallmark of fascist regimes,” its preview reads, arguing that educators “teach young people how to think for themselves” and therefore threaten authoritarian control.

The controversy comes amid growing scrutiny of political rhetoric following Kirk’s shooting. Authorities say the 22-year-old suspect embraced a leftist ideology and had written antifascist messages on ammunition. Many conservatives point to years of liberal pundits and politicians calling figures such as Kirk “fascists” as evidence of a climate that encouraged extremism.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online