America’s Growing Divide: Can the Nation Heal After Charlie Kirk’s Assassination?
It has been one of the darkest weeks in recent American history, leaving many to wonder whether the country can pull itself out of its deepening spiral of hatred and political violence.
In the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination — described as one of the most searing political killings in decades — Utah Governor Spencer Cox urged Americans to lower the political temperature and seek unity. But among those I’ve spoken with, few believe that reconciliation will come anytime soon.
A History of Missed Unity
Recent history shows that America often fails to come together after tragedy. Fourteen years ago, a Democratic congresswoman was shot in Arizona. Eight years ago, a Republican lawmaker was gunned down during a baseball practice. Even during the global Covid-19 pandemic, instead of uniting, the nation became more divided.
The underlying reason is clear but difficult to change: America’s political and media systems reward outrage, not compromise. Politicians are incentivized to appeal to their bases rather than the middle, a product of gerrymandering and hyper-partisan elections. Media figures thrive on outrage because it drives clicks, views, and advertising dollars.
Governor Cox: A Call for Calm
That’s why Governor Cox stands out as an exception. Following Kirk’s death, he urged Americans to “log off, touch grass, hug family, and do good in the community.” His words sounded almost old-fashioned in their wholesomeness — a rare appeal to reconciliation in a climate that thrives on division.
But unlike the 1960s and 70s, when assassinations of presidents, civil rights leaders, and politicians shocked the nation, today’s violence comes with a new and powerful accelerant: social media.
Social Media Under Fire
Governor Cox has not hesitated to blame tech platforms directly.
“I believe social media has played a direct role in every single assassination and attempt over the last five or six years,” he said, calling it a force more destructive than “cancer.”
Tech companies have mostly remained silent, though Elon Musk, owner of X (formerly Twitter), has weighed in. Musk accused the “radical left” of celebrating Kirk’s murder and argued that while online debates can be toxic, the platforms still provide essential discussion.
For many young people, however, the problem is obvious. “You can’t even hold a conversation with someone who disagrees with you anymore,” said Kaitlin Griffiths, a 19-year-old Turning Point USA leader in Utah. “That’s honestly tragic.”
Political Narratives Harden
Kirk’s death has already deepened partisan divides.
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On the left, many point to the killer’s possible radicalization through online subcultures.
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On the right, voices suggest a broader left-wing conspiracy.
Neither side appears ready to prioritize healing. Experts warn this framing only pushes the country further apart.
Rachel Kleinfeld, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment, argues the focus shouldn’t just be left versus right:
“It’s about what’s making people ungovernable. Turning down the temperature requires courage. This is like a bad marriage — you can only lose by pointing fingers.”
Trump Takes a Different Tone
President Donald Trump has taken a much harder stance, framing Kirk’s assassination as evidence of “radical left political violence.” In Oval Office remarks, he vowed to use every government resource to “identify, disrupt, and destroy” extremist networks “in Charlie’s name.”
His deputy chief of staff, Stephen Miller, echoed the vow with fiery rhetoric, saying the administration will dismantle these groups entirely.
However, decades of data suggest politically motivated killings in the U.S. have more often been carried out by right-wing extremists than by the left — though experts stress more research is needed to fully understand the trend.
Lessons From the Past
Some observers find comfort in history. Joe Scarborough, former Republican congressman and now a prominent TV host, noted that America has faced darker times — from Vietnam to Watergate.
“Few periods in America have been more politically bleak or violent,” he said. “But the nation moved forward, celebrated its bicentennial, and overcame its divides. It will do so again.”
The Uncertain Road Ahead
The question remains: can America turn down the heat, or will it continue to spiral deeper into division? History offers hope, but today’s mix of political incentives, social media algorithms, and entrenched tribalism make reconciliation more elusive than ever.