A heated exchange erupted on Fox News’ The Five between co-hosts Greg Gutfeld and Jessica Tarlov over the recent assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. Gutfeld forcefully rejected Tarlov’s attempt to frame political violence as a “both sides” issue, arguing that it’s not a matter of equivalence, but rather a question of accountability.
The debate centered around the killing of Kirk, who was shot and killed while speaking at Utah Valley University. Authorities arrested Tyler Robinson, 28, of Provo, Utah, who confessed to the crime and faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder. Gutfeld pointed out that violence seems to be predominantly associated with the left, stating, “What is interesting here is, why is only this happening on the left and not the right? That’s all we need to know.”
A Difference in Perspective
Tarlov countered Gutfeld’s argument by mentioning the killing of Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, suggesting that violence can occur on both sides of the political aisle. However, Gutfeld dismissed this comparison, arguing that Hortman’s killing didn’t receive the same level of attention or demonization before her death. He emphasized that the “both sides” argument is no longer valid, stating, “The fact of the matter is the both sides argument not only doesn’t fly, we don’t care. We don’t care about your both sides argument. That s*** is dead.”
The Complexity of the Issue
The debate highlights the growing friction between calls for balance and demands for clear condemnation in cases of political violence. While some argue that political violence is a problem that affects both sides, others believe that it’s essential to acknowledge the disparity in rhetoric and actions. According to data from the Anti-Defamation League’s Center on Extremism, right-wing extremism accounted for around 85% of extremist-related fatalities in the United States since 2016 ¹.
The clash between Gutfeld and Tarlov underscores the challenges of navigating complex issues like political violence and the importance of nuanced discussion. As the media and public continue to grapple with these topics, the debate is likely to remain a contentious one.
