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A photo collage shows a mugshot of Tyler Robinson, who is suspected of killing Charlie Kirk. — AFP/File
– The suspect was romantically involved with a transgender roommate, according to the governor.
– Charlie Kirk was a vocal critic of the transgender rights movement.
– Tyler Robinson is expected to face formal charges on Tuesday.
WASHINGTON: The man detained in connection with the shooting of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk was reportedly involved romantically with a transgender roommate and held “leftist beliefs,” Utah’s governor confirmed Sunday. His comments are likely to intensify the ongoing national debate over the incident.
“Yes, I can confirm that,” Governor Spencer Cox told CNN’s “State of the Union” when asked about Robinson’s relationship with a transgender partner.
“The roommate was a romantic partner, a male transitioning to a female,” Cox explained.
“He’s been extremely cooperative, had no idea this was happening, and is currently assisting investigators,” he added.
Cox, who mentioned Robinson, age 22, is expected to be formally charged on Tuesday, also noted that it remains unclear whether the partner’s transition influenced the suspect’s motive to kill Kirk, a close supporter of President Donald Trump.
“We’re still trying to piece everything together,” Cox said.
The governor, known for encouraging Americans to dial down political hostility, appeared on multiple U.S. networks Sunday. During NBC’s “Meet the Press,” he said investigators believe Robinson held leftist views.
“There was definitely a leftist ideology involved with this — with this attacker,” Cox stated.
He noted that information about Robinson, who has been uncooperative, was provided by those close to him, including family and friends.
Recent media reports revealed Robinson’s association with a transgender person, sparking outrage among far-right activists for whom gender identity issues have been a central concern lately.
Laura Loomer, a conservative influencer friendly with Trump, called Saturday to label the transgender movement a terrorist organization. Elon Musk, owner of X (formerly Twitter), amplified various posts advocating for bans on gender treatments and criticizing leftist ideologies.
On Saturday, Musk further claimed during a rally organized by far-right groups in London that “the left is the party of murder.”
Meanwhile, Cox emphasized the importance of civility across political lines and criticized social media platforms, comparing their addictive algorithms to dangerous substances like fentanyl.
Charlie Kirk was shot during a speech at a Utah university campus last Wednesday. He founded Turning Point USA, a conservative youth organization, and was known for his outspoken opposition to transgender right advocacy.
In August, Kirk posted on X about what he called a “trans delusion death cult,” shortly after a school shooting in Minneapolis where two children were killed and nine others wounded by a 23-year-old who claimed to be transgender.
Kirk’s provocative remarks have fueled debate. He often referenced his Christian faith and criticized what he terms gender ideology.
A 2023 video from Right Wing Watch shows Kirk describing transgender individuals as “a throbbing middle finger to God” before a church audience.
As discussions continue about what motivated Kirk’s death, former President Joe Biden’s cabinet member Pete Buttigieg highlighted that recent high-profile attacks, including the June murder of Democratic lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband in Minnesota, show no consistent pattern linking the violence to political affiliation.
“We must reject those who try to exploit political violence,” Buttigieg told NBC. “The response should not be for the government to suppress anyone who challenges political authority.”
Turning Point USA announced a memorial service for Kirk scheduled for September 21 at a football stadium near Phoenix, Arizona. Former President Donald Trump confirmed he would attend on Sunday.
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