MAGA influencer Charlie Kirk was shot dead at a Utah Valley University show on Wednesday, just weeks after he launched a vile and misogynistic rant at Taylor Swift

Charlie Kirk’s controversial comments on Taylor Swift before his death(Image: Getty Images)

MAGA influencer Charlie Kirk took aim at pop icon Taylor Swift in a shocking misogynistic rant just weeks before his death on Wednesday.

The right-wing podcaster, 31, offered unsolicited advice to the singer’s fiancé Travis Kelce and told the Shake It Off hitmaker she could “go from a cat lady to a JD Vance supporter” following her engagement to the NFL star.

Kirk, a conservative activist and close ally of US President Donald Trump, was shot dead at a Utah Valley University show on Wednesday.

Videos posted to social media from Utah Valley University showed Kirk speaking into a handheld microphone while sitting under a white tent emblazoned with the slogans ‘The American Comeback’ and ‘Prove Me Wrong’, before a single shot was fired.

Charlie Kirk was shot dead on Wednesday

Stunned spectators were heard gasping and screaming before people started to run away. His death was confirmed by President Trump, who called the killing “a dark moment” for the country.

Trump said he was “filled with grief and anger at the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk” in a video address to the nation. “This is a dark moment for America,” Mr Trump said.

“Charlie Kirk travelled the nation, joyfully engaging with everyone interested in good faith debate. His mission was to bring young people into the political process, which he did better than anybody ever.”

Taylor and Travis recently announced their engagement(Image: AP)

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Last month, as Taylor and Travis announced their engagement to the world, Kirk opted to offer bizarre sexist advice rather than his congratulations to the happy couple.

“This is something that I hope will make Taylor Swift more conservative,” Kirk told his audience on Real America’s Voice when discussing the couple’s happy news. “Engage in reality more… Reject feminism. Submit to your husband, Taylor. You’re not in charge.”

Taylor reclaimed the ‘childless cat lady’ insult (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

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He went on to claim that Taylor possibly going from “a cat lady to a JD Vance supporter” once she ties the knot with the Kansas City Chiefs player should be something to celebrate. “She should have more children than she has houses,” he quipped.

Taylor angered MAGA supporters when she endorsed Trump’s rival in the last US election. In September 2024, Taylor endorsed US presidential candidate Kamala Harris, saying the vice president at the time was a “steady-handed, gifted leader”, signing off the post with “Childless Cat Lady”.

Prior to Taylor’s post, Trump’s right-hand man JD Vance, now vice president, called Democratic politicians a “bunch of childless cat ladies with miserable lives”. The comment sparked backlash and star’s like Jennifer Aniston condemned the politician’s cruel outburst.

Vance went on to apologise for his comments. “Obviously it was a sarcastic comment,” Vance told the conservative media personality Megyn Kelly.

“People are focusing so much on the sarcasm and not on the substance of what I actually said. The substance of what I said, Megyn – I’m sorry, it’s true.”