Weeks after commenting on the assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, Amanda Seyfried is standing by her remarks. The actress first spoke out in September following Kirk’s death during a Republican rally at Utah Valley University. The 31-year-old conservative influencer was fatally shot while answering questions from thousands of attendees, an incident that shocked and deeply divided the country. Kirk’s death sparked strong reactions across the political spectrum.
While many mourned him, others pointed to his controversial views, which included opposition to same-sex marriage and abortion, skepticism of white privilege, and strong support for gun rights and Israel. These beliefs drew criticism from several public figures, including Seyfried. After his death, the Golden Globe-winning actress commented “He was hateful” on a post highlighting Kirk’s past statements. The remark quickly triggered backlash, with critics accusing her of excusing violence.
Seyfried pushed back, saying her words were taken out of context and stressing the importance of recognizing nuance. Speaking recently to Who What Wear, Seyfried made clear she would not apologize. She said her comment was based on Kirk’s own recorded statements and emphasized that expressing an opinion does not mean condoning violence.
She added that Kirk’s murder was “absolutely disturbing and deplorable,” noting that no one deserves such brutality. Seyfried also reflected on the broader issue of gun violence in the U.S., saying the country is grieving too many senseless deaths. She concluded by saying social media allowed her to clarify her stance after feeling her words had been misrepresented.