Curses and Consequences

The assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has cast a harsh spotlight on a satirical article that, just days earlier, joked about cursing him with witchcraft.

On September 8, Jezebel ran an anonymous piece describing an attempt to hire witches on Etsy to place a symbolic curse on Kirk. Written in a mocking tone, it imagined minor annoyances — like broken microphones and ill-fitting clothes — rather than physical harm.

Two days later, on September 10, Kirk was shot and killed while answering questions about mass shootings during a lecture at Utah Valley University in front of roughly 3,000 attendees. A single round from what investigators believe was a bolt-action rifle struck him in the neck, silencing one of the most recognizable young voices in American conservative media. He was 31.

The juxtaposition of the satirical article with Kirk’s sudden death immediately drew attention. Within hours of the assassination, Jezebel removed the story and issued a statement opposing political violence. Yet, for the Kirk family, the article had already left its mark. According to conservative commentator Megyn Kelly, the piece disturbed Charlie’s wife, Erika, who was aware of its contents. “Erika and Charlie Kirk heard about these curses, and that news genuinely rattled Erika, in particular,” Kelly said.

Kelly went on to denounce the decision to publish the piece, framing it as an act of cruelty against a Christian family already under immense strain. Her criticism fueled a broader debate about the boundaries between satire, free expression, and the real-world consequences of provocative writing in an era of polarized politics.

Since the tragedy, focus has turned to Erika Kirk’s strength. At her husband’s memorial, she forgave the accused shooter, citing her Christian faith. While the Jezebel article fuels debate over satire and responsibility, Erika’s priority is faith, healing, and raising their two children.