Public Perception of Charlie Kirk’s Murder: A Sentiment-Based Study of Users' Comments on YouTube
Abstract
The study examines public reactions to the murder of Charlie Kirk, a right-wing activist and founder of Turning Point USA, who was shot on September 10, 2025, during his "American Comeback Tour" in Utah. Analyzing 1,004 comments from CBS News’ YouTube channel, researchers conducted sentiment analysis through Orange software, revealing emotions of surprise (83.66%), fear (6.77%), and sadness (3.18%), with minimal anger (0.09%). Key themes included media bias and political violence. Tyler Robinson, the accused, faces serious charges, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty, although his motive remains unclear. This research calls for further exploration into radicalization and the influence of media in political contexts. Kirk, known for his controversial views and debates on issues like gun rights and climate change, significantly impacted conservative youth politics and was closely associated with Donald Trump. His assassination has sparked a renewed discussion on political extremism in America.
Keywords: Charlie Kirk, Sentiment Analysis, Orange Software, America, YouTube, Politics
