American actor Chris Pratt recently received significant backlash for his post about Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated earlier this week. For those unfamiliar, on September 10, Kirk was shot dead during an event held at Utah Valley University in Orem.
A video circulating online shows Kirk speaking to an audience member about mass shootings and gun violence when he is suddenly shot in the neck. He recoils before collapsing, causing panic in the audience.
Announcing the news on his platform, Truth Social, U.S. President Donald Trump wrote:
"The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us."
Similarly, many other A-listers shared their condolences for Kirk, including the Guardians of the Galaxy actor, Chris Pratt.
On September 11, Patt took to his official X handle to express his support for the late American political activist, his wife, and their children.
"Praying for Charlie Kirk right now, for his wife and young children, for our country. We need God’s grace. God help us," Patt wrote.
However, his remarks attracted significant backlash from social media users, with one user writing:
"very disappointing Chris now i know who you are."
"you’re cuter when you shut you mouth," another user wrote.
"Do you even know who Charlie Kirk was? You should be praying for the people he victimized," another user said.
While other users called for his departure from Marvel.
"ANYWAY WE AIN'T GONNA WATCH ANYTHING YOU'RE IN. LEAVE MARVEL ALONE," one user said.
"Great post, good to know you liked him so much. I will continue to boycott everything you’re in," another user remarked.
The backlash against Patt sparked a counter-backlash from his fans, who called out those attacking him. Replying to the aforementioned comment where the user asked Patt to "leave Marvel alone," Chris's supporters stated:
"Stfu b**ch. He had the best trilogy in Marvel. I’m not a perfect Christian, god forgive me what I said to you…. But you’re still a b**ch
"Oh please it’s time Disney and marvel stop catering to you delusional idiots anyway. Trust me they will gain much much more popularity and their movies will finally stop failing!!" another user said.
"He's literally the only good thing Marvel has going for it right now," another user said.
Meanwhile, a user praised Chris for his support of Kirk in the light of the situation.
"Guess I'm a Chris Pratt fan now, who knew that such a seemingly innocuous statement praying for a murdered mans family turned out to be an act of rebellion in the face of evil."
Charlie Kirk's widow's response to his passing
In a recent livestream, Charlie Kirk's widow, Erika Lane Frantzve, addressed her late husband's passing. She began by thanking the first responders who fought to save his life, along with Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance for "honoring" his husband, and President Trump and his family for the same.
"Mr President, my husband loved you. And he knew that you loved him too," she said in a trembling voice.
Addressing his killer, she added:
"The evildoers responsible for my husband's assassination have no idea what they have done. They killed Charlie because he preached a message of patriotism, faith, and of God's merciful love. They should all know this: If you thought that my husband's mission was powerful before, you have no idea."
Charlie and Erika tied the knot on May 8, 2021, in Scottsdale. They welcomed their daughter in August 2022, followed by their son in May 2024.
Charlie Kirk poses at The Cambridge Union on May 19, 2025 in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire (Image via Getty)