He accused President Trump of exploiting the tragic murder of Ukrainian refugees in Charlotte, North Carolina, claiming Trump suggested that crime was worsening. Surveillance video released recently showed DeCarlos Brown, a former inmate with a history of 14 previous trials, fatally stabbing 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska on August 22 during a light rail ride. This incident, which received little media attention, was highlighted by Axios in an article discussing how “MAGA influencers” might be using this footage to draw focus to violent crime.
Marc Caputo from Axios notes that these influencers have repeatedly spotlighted violent incidents to highlight urban crime issues, often dismissing mainstream media coverage aside from the most shocking cases. He pointed out that the rise in surveillance cameras in public areas, particularly on Charlotte’s light rail, has contributed to increased visibility of such incidents. Videos are easily circulated on social media, serving as striking contrasts to declining crime stats.
Caputo also referenced comments from notable figures like Elon Musk, Stephen Miller’s former deputy, Utah Senator Mike Lee, and Turning Point USA’s Charlie Kirk. He mentioned that North Carolina Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley is criticizing Democratic Governor Roy Cooper for being ineffective on crime, framing it in a disturbing context.
This article generated a strong backlash from conservative commentators who were outraged by the event. Auron McIntyre from Blaze Media shared a meme emphasizing disdain for journalists, suggesting they weren’t taking the situation seriously. Others chimed in with their disbelief about the response, pointing out the strange focus on trivial matters instead of pressing issues.
Interestingly, journalist Ian Miles Chong questioned why discussions often veer towards less significant topics rather than pressing societal concerns. Curtis Houck of Newsbusters commented that the kind of brutality portrayed reflects a systemic issue where offenders should have been detained far earlier.
Moreover, Axios appeared to downplay the severity of Zarutska’s murder, comparing it to the case of Daniel Penny, who faced charges in a subway incident involving a homeless man. Despite being acquitted of criminally negligent homicide, Penny received support from witnesses concerned about Jordan Neely’s behavior.
There’s a recurring narrative in the media suggesting that crime rates have fallen while Trump aimed to tackle violent offenses in major cities. In Washington, D.C., for instance, Trump’s federal initiative resulted in over 2,100 arrests and 214 illegal firearms being taken off the streets. According to Attorney General Pam Bondy, since this crackdown began in August, the city has only seen one murder.
