Climate scientist Michael Mann sparked controversy on social media following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), who was shot and killed Wednesday at Utah Valley University while speaking with a student. Kirk left behind his wife and two young children.

Mann, who had previously faced criticism, reposted several attacks on Kirk, referencing a piece by Ezra Klein from the New York Times. Klein had acknowledged Kirk’s dedication to free dialogue, suggesting that despite their ideological differences, they shared common ground regarding American politics.

In his remarks, Mann drew attention to Klein’s assertion that Kirk approached politics properly, though he reframed it to suggest he distanced himself from Kirk’s views. There were also references to Kirk being compared to “Trump’s Hitler youth,” which stirred further outrage.

Mann later stated he “overlooked” the offensive language in a post he had shared, indicating he didn’t endorse such rhetoric but was merely agreeing with broader criticisms regarding Kirk’s political stance. He commented on the state of violence in America and called for accountability, stating that political violence should be condemned regardless of the side it comes from.

However, Mann’s statements incited backlash, leading to a pattern where various public figures have lost their positions over their harsh remarks regarding Kirk posthumously. For instance, a former assistant dean at Middle Tennessee State was dismissed after expressing a lack of sympathy for Kirk’s death, and a Secret Service agent faced leave after making incendiary comments.

The suspect in Kirk’s murder, Tyler Robinson, was identified following a tip-off from a family friend to authorities, highlighting the ongoing investigation into the violent incident.