A Republican governor joining late MAGA influencer Charlie Kirk's "American Comeback Tour" was booed by a crowd of his own party's supporters Tuesday night.
The audience booed when Gov. Spencer Cox (UT) walked on stage and joined a panel of Republican, Latter-day Saint politicians at Utah State University, just two hours north of where Kirk was killed on Sept. 10, The Salt Lake Tribune reported.
In the hours after Kirk's killing, Cox condemned violence and political division, drawing bipartisan praise.
The audience, reportedly filled with people wearing red MAGA hats, drowned the governor out as he attempted to share his experience of what happened the day Kirk was shot and killed during an event at Utah Valley University.
He said he was "proud" of Turning Point USA's work — when he was able to speak over the crowd's noise.
Arizona U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs and Jason Chaffetz, a Fox News commentator and former Utah representative, were also on the panel, which was hosted by Turning Point Action's Tyler Bowyer.
Bowyer apparently asked a question and attacked what he referred to as Cox's "soft Utah approach." Bowyer also said that Cox's leadership “has enabled some people that are mentally ill."
Cox responded and said: “Peacemaking is not soft.”
“It’s the hardest thing,” Cox said. “That’s what Charlie understood. And this matters because there is a rift in our party.”
Social media users criticized Cox, who Kirk said in 2022 "should be expelled from the Republican party."
Event attendee Teena Horlacher said, “Charlie Kirk knew about Spencer Cox. He called for his expulsion from the Republican Party. And currently Spencer Cox is grandstanding on the assassination of Charlie Kirk.”
Cox posted this statement on X Tuesday night:
"I think Charlie would have been so proud of the @USUAggies students who came together tonight to celebrate what makes America great. In the face of tragedy, Utahns chose dialogue over division, prayer over violence. That is a legacy worth carrying forward. Thank you @TPUSA for the invitation to join this important conversation."
