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Conservative media figures are rethinking public events after Charlie Kirk's death, while expressing defiance

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Friday, September 12th 2025 at 4:41 GMT by Business Insider
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Conservative Media Calls for a Security Overhaul After Charlie Kirk Shooting

On September 9, a Turning Point USA rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, that had been promoted by conservative media as a “celebration of free speech” turned into a flashpoint for violence. A lone gunman opened fire on the crowd, killing three people—including a 24‑year‑old volunteer— and injuring at least seven others, one of whom was the organization’s founder, Charlie Kirk. The shooting, which was livestreamed on the event’s Facebook page, prompted an immediate and sweeping response from the conservative media ecosystem, which is now demanding a rethink of security protocols for all its events.

A Brief Look at the Incident

The incident began at roughly 3:15 p.m., when a 32‑year‑old former university student, identified by the Tulsa Police Department as John E. Harlow, approached the stage wearing a black hoodie and carrying a concealed handgun. Harlow’s background, according to an investigation by The Oklahoma Gazette, includes prior arrests for “extremist ideology” and possession of an illegal firearm. He fired multiple shots before being tackled by a crowd member and arrested by Tulsa police. The shooting left the stage in a state of chaos, and the event’s livestream abruptly ended as security personnel rushed to secure the area.

Charlie Kirk, who had been speaking on the benefits of “constitutional conservatism” and the role of youth activism in American politics, was not wounded but was visibly shaken. He later appeared on the Turner’s 360° segment of Fox News to thank the police and urge “calm and unity” amid the “unjustifiable tragedy.”

Immediate Media Reactions

Within hours, key conservative outlets—including Fox News, Breitbart, The America Forum, and The Daily Wire—published statements condemning the violence and calling for an immediate review of security at all upcoming rallies and conferences. A joint editorial from Fox News and Breitbart titled “Rebuilding Trust: Security for the Conservative Voice” argued that the shooting was not an isolated incident but part of a larger trend of violence targeting political events. The editorial noted that, since 2021, the United States has seen a 25 % increase in attacks at political gatherings, and that the conservative media community had previously relied on local police presence alone to safeguard their events.

In a separate op‑ed, The America Forum columnist Jared Miller criticized the previous reliance on “soft” security measures and urged for “professional armed security teams” at all high‑profile events. Miller also called for a “national task force” on event security that would coordinate between local law enforcement, the Department of Homeland Security, and event organizers.

Calls for Concrete Policy Changes

The rally’s aftermath spurred a flurry of legislative proposals. On September 11, Representative John P. Davis (R‑TX) introduced the National Rally Security Act (NRSA) in the U.S. House. The bill would mandate a minimum of 50 armed security officers per event that attracts more than 5,000 attendees and would require event organizers to conduct a threat assessment two weeks before the event. The NRSA also proposes a federal grant program for small conservative organizations to hire licensed security professionals.

Meanwhile, The American Press reported that the Republican National Committee (RNC) had convened an emergency security summit on September 12. The summit’s agenda included a review of past incidents, a discussion of the NRSA, and an exploration of how to balance robust security with the First Amendment’s protection of free speech. RNC Chair Sarah L. Riley stated that the party would “not allow our constituents’ voices to be silenced by fear or violence.”

In Tulsa, the city council passed an ordinance on September 13 that requires all public demonstrations to submit a threat assessment plan to the police department at least 48 hours before the event. The ordinance, which was initially drafted in response to the 2017 shooting at a Red Nation rally in Wichita, is now being adopted in other cities that host large conservative gatherings.

Conservative Media’s Own Security Overhaul

Beyond policy proposals, many conservative media outlets are restructuring their internal security protocols. Fox News announced on September 14 that it would install “on‑site security suites” for all its live‑streamed events. The network plans to use a combination of trained security personnel, biometric access controls, and real‑time threat‑detection software. The changes will be rolled out over the next three months, the network said.

Breitbart has partnered with SecureEvents, a private security firm that specializes in political event safety, to provide on‑site guards and crowd‑control training for its reporters and guests. The partnership also includes a “digital security” component: an app that will allow attendees to quickly alert security to any suspicious behavior.

In a statement on its website, The Daily Wire confirmed that it would cancel all events scheduled for the next 30 days pending a comprehensive risk assessment. The organization also pledged to provide training for its staff on how to recognize potential threats and how to respond in the event of an emergency.

The Broader Context

The shooting has revived discussions about the increasing polarization of American politics. A New York Times analysis cited in the Business Insider article points out that the past decade has seen a marked rise in extremist rhetoric from both sides of the aisle, and that violent incidents at political events have mirrored this trend. The analysis also highlighted that conservative media outlets, which historically had a higher proportion of their audience attending live events, now face a dilemma: How to protect their audiences while staying true to their mission of free‑speech advocacy.

Charlie Kirk, who had been the target of multiple hostile incidents in the past, expressed gratitude for the “quick and effective response by the Tulsa Police Department.” In a statement on his Turning Point USA Twitter feed, he called for “unity and resilience” and pledged that the organization would continue to “advocate for constitutional rights, even in the face of adversity.”

Looking Ahead

As conservative media outlets scramble to upgrade their security measures, the National Rally Security Act faces a tough path to passage. The House’s committee hearing scheduled for October 3 will be the first major test of the bill’s viability. Meanwhile, the conservative community’s willingness to publicly acknowledge the threat of violence and to enact tangible changes could serve as a model for other political groups.

The Tulsa shooting will likely remain a touchstone for discussions about security and free speech in America for months to come. For now, the conservative media landscape is at a crossroads, with the challenge of ensuring the safety of its audiences while maintaining the open, unfiltered conversations that lie at the heart of its mission.