Full Breakdown
TikTok Dance Near Charlie Kirk Assassination Site Sparks Outrage and Debate
5/27/2026, 9:37:33 PM
Viral TikTok Clip and Immediate Reaction
On May 18, the TikTok account @bbdollbbface posted a video titled “Paying my disrespects,” showing a young woman in a blue shirt and white tennis shoes performing a popular dance near the spot where Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was shot at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. The clip quickly amassed millions of views and over 45,000 likes before being removed from the platform. Comments were sharply divided, with many users condemning the post as disrespectful while others offered supportive remarks.
Background: Charlie Kirk’s Assassination
Charlie Kirk, 31, the founder and CEO of Turning Point USA, was killed on Sept 10, 2025 while speaking during the opening stop of his “American Comeback Tour.” A sniper fired from a nearby rooftop, striking Kirk in the neck. Police later arrested 22-year-old Tyler James Robinson and charged him with aggravated murder. The incident has prompted heightened security concerns on college campuses nationwide.
Official Statements & Responses
Turning Point USA spokesperson Andrew Kolvet told Fox News Digital that celebrating the killing was “vile and disgusting” and linked the video to a broader “permission structure online” that enables such behavior. He added that the organization was unaware of the clip until it was brought to their attention and expressed regret that it had circulated. A Utah Valley University spokesperson confirmed that university officials were aware of the video and were monitoring the situation. The video was subsequently taken down after widespread criticism.
Criticism & Opposition
Social-media users denounced the post as an affront to Kirk’s family, describing it as “incredibly disrespectful.” Several commentators noted that employees in both public and private sectors have faced termination after posting similar content that glorifies tragedies. While a minority of commenters praised the dancer, the dominant narrative in mainstream coverage framed the clip as evidence of a growing “assassination culture” on the political left.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Celebrating the assassination of an innocent human being, who was also a devoted father and husband, is vile and disgusting behavior,” — Andrew Kolvet, TPUSA spokesperson
- “But it's also why assassination culture is rising on the political left.” — Andrew Kolvet
- “This is part of the permission structure online that has made it possible. We were unaware of this video, but regret that we now are. Hopefully she wakes up one day and feels rightfully embarrassed by what she's become.” — Andrew Kolvet
- “Paying your disrespect, girl I love you.” — TikTok user (comment on video)
- “This is so incredibly disrespectful.” — TikTok user (comment on video)
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the video’s reach: one description cites “millions of views,” while another notes “45,000 likes.” The dancer’s identity and motivations remain unverified, and TikTok has not issued an official statement regarding the removal. Additionally, no law-enforcement comment links the video to the ongoing murder investigation.
What’s Next
The incident is prompting discussions about TikTok’s content-moderation policies and the responsibility of platforms to curb “permission structures” that may encourage extremist or celebratory content. Legal proceedings against Tyler James Robinson continue, and university officials are reviewing security protocols for future events.
