Pakistani actress Ushna Shah has publicly expressed sorrow following the death of Charlie Kirk, the American political commentator who was fatally shot on September 10, 2025, while speaking to students on a university campus in Utah. Kirk, 31, was known for his conservative views and leadership of Turning Point USA. He is survived by his wife and two young children.
On Instagram , Shah described the killing as “heartbreaking,” acknowledging the violent circumstances of Kirk's death made her pause in grief, despite her ideogical differences with him. “Watching a man in his early 30s, a husband, a son, a father of two, be shot in cold blood is devastating,” she said. Shah reiterated her longstanding commitment to the Palestinian cause, calling it “the most fundamental cause of our time,” but added that her empathy in this case was based on the loss of human life.
The post sparked strong reactions online. Critics argued that extending condolences to Kirk conflicted with her support for Palestine, citing his controversial stances on issues such as immigration, abortion, gun rights, and Middle East politics. Some suggested that her expression of sympathy amounted to softening his political record, while others accused her of ignoring the impact of his views.
In response to the backlash, Shah issued a clarification.”I disagreed with Charlie Kirk, especially on Falasteen” she said. She stressed that condemning violence and acknowledging personal loss does not undermine her activism for Palestine or any other cause. According to Shah, “Recognizing suffering, even when you disagree with someone’s politics, is about humanity, not politics.”
The incident drew wide coverage in local media and across social platforms. Reports noted both the criticism directed at Shah and her subsequent clarification, presenting the episode as an example of how public figures’ statements on international events can attract scrutiny and debate.
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