New York Post piece prompts investigation into who manufactured the shirts worn by Charlie Kirk's assassin as violent protestors show up at Charlie Kirk Vigils wearing them
- 17GEN4
- Sep 14
- 4 min read
Phoenix, Ariz. – September 15, 2025 – A New York Post article exposing a brazen act of vandalism at a memorial for slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk has ignited a firestorm, prompting calls for a federal investigation into the origins and distribution of the distinctive black t-shirt worn by both Kirk's alleged assassin and the perpetrator. As vigils honoring the 31-year-old Turning Point USA co-founder descend into chaos, protesters across the country have been spotted donning the controversial garment, fueling fears of coordinated political violence in the wake of Kirk's shocking assassination earlier this month.
The catalyst for the uproar was a September 14 New York Post report detailing how 19-year-old Ryder Corral trampled a makeshift memorial outside Turning Point USA's Phoenix headquarters during a somber vigil. Eyewitnesses described Corral jumping onto flowers, photos, and tributes left for Kirk, who was fatally shot on September 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Video footage captured the horrifying scene: Corral stomping aggressively on the offerings, prompting outraged mourners to intervene. One spectator tackled Corral to the ground, while another kicked him before law enforcement arrived and placed him in handcuffs.
What made the incident particularly alarming was Corral's attire—a black long-sleeved t-shirt emblazoned with an American flag, a bald eagle, and the phrase "Land of the Free, Home of the Brave," a nod to the U.S. national anthem. This design closely mirrored the shirt worn by 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, the suspect arrested just hours after the shooting and charged with aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, and obstruction of justice. FBI-released surveillance images from the manhunt showed Robinson fleeing the scene in the identical graphic tee, hat, and sunglasses, sparking widespread recognition of the apparel as a potential symbol of radical intent.
Phoenix Police Sergeant Philip Krynsky confirmed Corral faces charges of criminal damage and disorderly conduct, telling Fox News the act was "deeply disrespectful to those grieving." Turning Point USA, the youth conservative organization Kirk co-founded, condemned the vandalism as an "attack on our community's memory of Charlie's legacy." Kirk's widow, Erika Kirk, who has vowed to continue her husband's "American Comeback Tour," issued a statement calling for unity amid rising tensions: "Charlie stood for free speech and debate, not destruction. We must reject this hate."
The Post's coverage has amplified demands for scrutiny of the t-shirt's manufacturer and sellers. Social media erupted with speculation that the garment—available on platforms like eBay since at least 2022—has been co-opted by extremists. A Metro News report from September 12 highlighted a surge in online listings post-shooting, some explicitly referencing "Charlie Kirk" and the "shooting" to capitalize on searches, with prices reaching $500. eBay swiftly removed such listings, but generic versions remain, prompting conservative commentators to urge the FBI to trace purchases. "This isn't coincidence—it's a signal," tweeted conservative podcaster Gunther Eagleman, echoing calls from figures like Jack Posobiec, who warned on his show that the shirts could be "dog whistles for radicals." X users, including @EricLDaugh and @BarronTNews_, shared images comparing the shirts, amassing hundreds of thousands of views and fueling hashtags like #TrackTheShirts.
The controversy has spilled into broader unrest at Kirk vigils nationwide, where protesters wearing the assassin's t-shirt have clashed with supporters, escalating what authorities describe as a wave of political violence. In Boise, Idaho, just hours after Kirk's death, a vigil outside the state capitol devolved into a street brawl when a man on a Lime bike—wearing a white t-shirt but carrying a rainbow backpack—shouted "F–k Charlie Kirk!" at the crowd. Video showed mourners chanting "USA!" as they swarmed the individual, leading to arrests of 41-year-old Terry Wilson, a Black Lives Matter activist charged with disturbing the peace, marijuana possession, and carrying a concealed weapon, and Alfonso Ayala for similar disorderly conduct. Boise Police vowed increased security for future events, citing the "heightened emotions" following the assassination.
Similar scenes unfolded elsewhere. In West Des Moines, Iowa, a Friday night gathering of hundreds drew counter-protesters, some reportedly in the eagle-flag shirts, leading to heated standoffs but no arrests, according to the Des Moines Register. Seattle's candlelight vigil saw attendees waving U.S. flags in defiance, while reports from London—where far-right groups rallied in Kirk's honor—described "disorder and violence" injuring 26 officers, with some demonstrators allegedly sporting knockoff versions of the t-shirt. In New York City, Rev. Kevin McCall led a multi-faith vigil denouncing the killing, but protesters nearby chanted anti-Kirk slogans, prompting police intervention amid fears of escalation.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox, who labeled Kirk's death a "political assassination," addressed the shirt phenomenon in a press briefing, urging federal agencies to investigate potential networks. "This is an attack on all of us," Cox said, referencing engravings on the recovered Mauser bolt-action rifle—anti-fascist and transgender ideology messages—that suggest a motive tied to Kirk's conservative views on social issues. FBI Director Kash Patel, who oversaw the 33-hour manhunt ending in Robinson's arrest after a family tip, announced a $100,000 reward for leads, noting over 11,000 tips received. Sources familiar with the probe told CNN that investigators are analyzing Discord messages from Robinson's accounts, where he discussed retrieving the rifle, hinting at possible online radicalization.
President Donald Trump, a close Kirk ally, mourned the activist as a "patriot" in a White House video, blaming "radical left rhetoric" for the violence while calling for retribution. "Charlie was the best of America, and the monster who attacked him was attacking our whole country," Trump said. Bipartisan leaders, including former President Joe Biden and California Governor Gavin Newsom, condemned the killing, with Newsom tweeting, "We must reject political violence in EVERY form." Yet, the t-shirt's proliferation has deepened divides, with some X posts falsely claiming it links to Democratic Socialists of America, debunked by fact-checkers.
As investigations continue, experts warn of a chilling trend. Time Magazine's Eric Cortellessa described Kirk's death as an "inflection point" in America's slide toward violence, citing recent attacks on figures across the spectrum, including Minnesota lawmakers and Trump himself.
With Kirk's public funeral set for September 21 at Arizona's State Farm Stadium, authorities brace for more unrest. For now, the simple black t-shirt—once a generic patriotic symbol—has become a flashpoint, symbolizing the raw nerves exposed by one man's assassination and the nation's fractured soul. 17GEN4.com
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