Marion McKeone: The void after Charlie Kirk’s death could unleash something even more dangerous

The assassination of Charlie Kirk has destabilised conservative politics, exposed America’s addiction to violence, and raised urgent questions about who inherits his power

Charlie Kirk hands out hats before speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. (Tess Crowley/The Deseret News via AP)

Notwithstanding its increasingly shaky status as the global leader of democracy, America is an inherently violent society. There have been close to 5,000 mass shootings over the past decade alone. Guns account for close to 50,000 deaths each year.

Sitting presidents, emerging political leaders, activists, judges, governors and representatives in Congress and in state legislatures have all been targeted by gunmen.