News Outlet Apologizes For ‘Heinous’ Charlie Kirk Cartoon

Newsday, a daily newspaper that serves residents in Long Island, New York, has issued an apology for what they called an “insensitive and offensive” editorial cartoon that referenced the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The apology came after residents began calling for a boycott of the publication.

Kirk, who founded the powerful organization Turning Point USA, was murdered while holding an event on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. The controversial cartoon pictured an empty chair with distasteful depictions of blood splattered on it beneath a tent that said, “Charlie Kirk.” It also featured the slogan “Prove Me Wrong,” with an arrow labeled “Turning Point USA” pointing to the empty seat.

The cartoon, which was created by Chip Bok, is just one in a long line of highly insensitive reactions to the assassination of the conservative activist. Many individuals who publicly celebrated his murder, particularly professionals from all manner of jobs and careers, have been highly criticized for their actions. Some have been booted from their places of employment over their gleeful sentiments.

After Long Island conservatives took Newsday to the woodshed over the cartoon, the paper called the publishing of the cartoon an “error in judgment,” according to a report from Fox News.

“On Saturday, Newsday published a syndicated editorial cartoon referring to the assassination of Charlie Kirk that was insensitive and offensive. We deeply regret the mistake and sincerely apologize to the family of Charlie Kirk and to all,” Newsday went on to say in a statement addressing the cartoon.

“We made an error in judgement. The cartoon has been removed from our digital platforms. In his illustration, Chip Bok used the name of Kirk’s organization, Turning Point USA, and the theme of his Utah event — ‘Prove Me Wrong’ — to suggest that Kirk’s assassination might be a turning point for healing our nation’s divide,” the statement added. “The imagery was inappropriate and should never have been published in Newsday.”

Jesse Garcia, the chairman of the Suffolk County Republican Party, put the publication on blast on social media, saying it “crossed a line,” before demanding the “vile cartoon” be taken down.

“By publishing a vile cartoon about the political assassination of Charlie Kirk, the paper has mocked tragedy, stoked division, and poured gasoline on the flames of political violence. This isn’t journalism. It’s a reckless, partisan attack that blames the victim, silences free speech, and shames everything this country should stand for,” Garcia stated. “There is no way – or context – that this disgraceful political cartoon can be excused away.”

“Do not support a publication that normalizes hate and endangers lives. It’s this type of hate – by media outlets like Newsday and others, social media platforms, and national, state, and local Democrat officials that instill political violence against those they disagree with,” the chairman added.

Mike Crispi, a Trump campaign delegate from New Jersey, encouraged residents to “drop your subscription,” while Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) referred to the political cartoon as “heinous.”

As of this writing, Newsday has not revealed whether it plans to take internal action over the editorial oversight.