Utah Gov Spencer Cox says he sees video of Charlie Kirk’s murder 'everytime I close my eyes'
WASHINGTON, DC: Utah Governor Spencer Cox told CBS’ '60 Minutes' on Sunday that his mind keeps replaying the horrifying moment conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot dead during a college event earlier this month.
“I can’t unsee it. I can’t stop seeing it. Every time I close my eyes, that’s what I see,” Cox said in the interview.
Spencer Cox describes calling Trump with devastating news
Cox said he felt sick when he had to call President Donald Trump and inform him of Kirk’s death.
“I felt noxious, sickness, disbelief and anger,” Cox recalled.
The governor noted Kirk’s pivotal role in mobilizing millions of young conservatives for Trump, underscoring the political and cultural shockwaves from the killing.
Spencer Cox calls for an end to violence
Cox insisted he is not asking for bipartisan hugs and handshakes but to end the violence.
“I’m not asking anybody to hold hands and hug it out,” he said. “I’m trying to get people to stop shooting each other. That’s it.”
He further added, "I think what I am doing and what I am saying is the best way to do that. Some people will disagree with that. That's ok. We should have this debates as a society. I am not always right, I have made mistakes. Other politicians are making mistakes right now and trying to elevate the temperature. But I am going to keep having these conversations."
Asked who bears responsibility for the kind of division that led to Kirk’s death, Cox pointed squarely at social media platforms.
“I do believe that social media is a cancer, and it is taking all of our worst impulses and putting them on steroids,” Cox said.
Kirk, 31, was shot in the neck on September 10 during an appearance at Utah Valley University. Gruesome videos posted online showed the conservative influencer bleeding heavily before collapsing.
The suspect, identified as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, was arrested by police and pressed with murder charges, witness tampering and committing a violent offense in the presence of a child among others.
President Donald Trump paid an emotional tribute to conservative activist during the Charlie Kirk Memorial, calling him “a giant of his generation” and “one of the brightest lights of our times.”
“Our country was robbed of a devoted husband, father, son, Christian, and patriot. He was assassinated because he lived bravely, he lived boldly, and he argued brilliantly without apology,” Trump said.
“He did what was right for our nation. On that terrible day, our greatest evangelist for American liberty became immortal," he said.
Erika Kirk, wife of Kirk said that he always wanted to reach out to the young generation and help them get a direction in life.
“Charlie passionately wanted to reach and save the lost boys of the West. The young men who feel like they have no direction, no purpose, no faith, and no reason to live,” she said.
“The men wasting their lives on distractions and the men consume with resentment, anger and hate. Charlie wanted to help them. He wanted them to have a home with Turning Point USA," she added.
