Sean Penn provided a succinct reaction regarding the assassination of Charlie Kirk, amidst various controversial remarks from celebrities about Kirk’s death.
Kirk was assassinated on September 10 during an event at Utah Valley University, part of his Turning Point USA tour.
The 31-year-old political activist was shot in the neck, and the shooter swiftly escaped. Shortly after, police apprehended a suspect, Tyler Robinson, 22, who has since been charged.
Speaking with Vanity Fair a day after the incident, Penn discussed his new project, One Battle After Another, directed by Paul Anderson.
Penn, known for his political outspokenness, remarked, ‘I was not surprised at all’ by Kirk’s killing.
“Like a lot of people, I’ve been worrying that this kind of horror was moving towards coming into fashion,” he reflected.
“It’s disturbing enough that I would say I’m still processing it. And what its implications are.”
In the past, Penn has been vocal about his views, including criticism of Donald Trump’s handling of the Covid-19 crisis in 2020, comparing it to ‘vulnerable communities being gunned down from the White House’.
Several individuals faced backlash for their remarks after Kirk’s death, including Dwayne Johnson’s daughter, Ava Raine, who was criticized for sharing a post believed to subtly reference Kirk.
There was also the controversy involving Jimmy Kimmel, who has since been reinstated by ABC.
Michael Keaton’s comments sparked debate when he remarked on the ‘irony’ of Kirk’s death, given Kirk’s pro-gun stance and opposition to gun control.
At the Investigative Reporters and Editors’ 50th anniversary gala, Keaton addressed the event by paying respects to Kirk and his family while discussing gun violence.
“Before we start to get into the meat of this thing, I’m going to take a minute to say that, regardless of how I probably — not probably — have disagreed with many things he said, Charlie Kirk leaves behind two kids and a wife,” he stated.
“You gotta remember that. Because in the end, shooting people will never answer anything, and the irony that he was killed with a gun is unbelievable.”