**Utah Governor Spencer Cox Calls for Unity Following Charlie Kirk’s Death**
*Published: October 1, 2025, 5:45 p.m. ET*
Utah Governor Spencer Cox is urging the nation to confront political violence and find common ground in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s tragic death, RadarOnline.com can reveal.
“I get accused on the right all the time of wanting a ‘kumbaya’ moment—people holding hands and hugging it out. But we’re done with that,” Cox shared during a recent interview with *60 Minutes*. “I’m not asking anybody to hold hands and hug it out. I’m asking people to stop shooting each other. That’s it.”
### Calling for Difficult Conversations
When asked about the divisiveness facing the country, Cox emphasized the importance of dialogue. “Some people will disagree with that, and that’s okay,” he said. “We should have these debates as a society. I’m not always right. I’ve made mistakes. Other politicians, I think, are making mistakes right now in trying to elevate the temperature. But I’m going to just keep having these conversations.”
### The Future of the “Grand Experiment”
Reflecting on the nation’s fragile state, Cox pondered the continued unity of the United States. “This grand experiment that we embarked on 250 years ago—can we hold together?” he asked.
He expressed concern about the increasing rhetoric of conflict. “When I hear people say that we’re at war, I say, ‘OK. And what? What is next? Who am I supposed to shoot now?’” he added.
### The Impact of Charlie Kirk’s Assassination
Governor Cox revealed the emotional toll of witnessing the video of Charlie Kirk’s shooting. “There was no doubt what had happened,” he said. “That terrible, awful video that I wish I had not seen. I hate, again, social media, that almost every person in this country, including our young people, has seen that video on a loop over and over again. And I can’t unsee it. Every time I close my eyes, that’s what I see.”
After sending an aide to the hospital, Cox was informed of Kirk’s death. “Anger and disbelief were going through my mind,” he shared, recounting his immediate call to the White House.
### Addressing Political Violence and National Division
At a press conference on the day of Kirk’s death, Cox called the nation “broken” but reminded the public that Utah still enforces the death penalty. “I’ve been following, I’ve been studying political violence,” he said. “I’m keenly aware when these things happen, seeing people get murdered and attacked—Democrats and Republicans alike.”
Cox also addressed controversial political figure Steve Bannon, labeling him a “national embarrassment” in the days following Kirk’s murder. “I love free speech,” Cox asserted. “I would give my life defending his right to say that about me. That’s okay. We can have that debate. There are some people that think I am a national embarrassment. That’s okay too.”
### What Happened to Charlie Kirk?
As previously reported by RadarOnline.com, Charlie Kirk was at Utah Valley University in Orem on September 10 as part of his Turning Point USA fall 2025 tour. Approximately 20 minutes into his event, Kirk was shot in the neck. Despite being rushed to the hospital, he was pronounced dead shortly after.
Tyler Robinson was arrested on September 13 and charged with aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, and obstruction of justice in connection with Kirk’s shooting. He appeared in court for the second time on September 29, where prosecutors noted a “substantial” amount of evidence against him.
—
Governor Cox’s call for unity and ending political violence comes at a critical moment as the nation grapples with the consequences of escalating division and tragedy.
https://radaronline.com/p/utah-governor-spencer-cox-charlie-kirk-murder-60-minutes/