Topline<\/p>\n
White supremacist Nick Fuentes has denied speculation circulating on social media his followers, known as \u201cGroypers,\u201d were responsible for conservative activist Charlie Kirk\u2019s death, after messages on unfired casings written by Kirk\u2019s alleged shooter Tyler Robinson appeared to be linked to the far-right movement. <\/p>\n
Social media users speculated whether a suspect arrested in Kirk\u2019s fatal shooting was linked to the white nationalist\u2019s following.<\/p>\n
Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.Key Facts<\/p>\n
Groypers appeared to emerge as a far-right political movement in 2019 as followers of Fuentes, with similar beliefs to other alt-right and white supremacist groups and grounded in traditional Christian values, characterizing themselves as \u201cAmerican nationalists,” according<\/a> to the Institute for Strategic Dialogue. <\/p>\n The group is named after a racist-coded version of the \u201cPepe\u201d meme affiliated with the alt-right, which members use online to clash with other conservatives.<\/p>\n In 2019, Fuentes ordered his followers to target question-and-answer events held by conservatives who aligned with President Donald Trump, including a series of events<\/a> hosted by Kirk, during which Fuentes and his followers heckled crowdgoers and hurled homophobic and antisemitic questions.<\/p>\n Kirk was often targeted by Groypers, who believed Kirk\u2019s political beliefs leaned too moderate. <\/p>\n Fuentes and his followers have since been banned from attending Turning Point USA events and the annual Conservative Political Action Conference, and Fuentes has often held a competing<\/a> conference, the America First Political Action Conference, featuring speakers including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene<\/a>, R-Ga., former Idaho Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin<\/a> and Arizona state Sen. Wendy Rogers<\/a>, a Republican, among others.<\/p>\n A number of Groypers were identified as rioters at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, according<\/a> to congressional testimony by Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt. <\/p>\n What Are Tyler Robinson\u2019s Alleged Ties To Groypers?<\/p>\n Law enforcement recovered bullet casings near a rifle they believe was used to fatally shoot Kirk earlier this week, some of which includes symbology suggesting Robinson was part of the Groyper movement, Rachel Kleinfeld, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told<\/a> Reuters. There is currently no definitive link between Robinson, Groypers or Fuentes, however. One message read, \u201cO Bella ciao, Bella ciao, Bella ciao, Ciao, ciao!\u201d in an apparent reference to an antifascist anthem sung by Italians after World War II, though some social media users noted a version of the song appears on a Spotify playlist meant for Groypers, the New York Times reported<\/a>. Others pointed<\/a> to a Facebook photo in which Robinson appeared to reference a Groyper meme. <\/p>\n Chief Critic<\/p>\n Fuentes disputed claims that Groypers were to blame for the shooting, writing<\/a> on X Saturday: \u201cMy followers and I are currently being framed for the murder of Charlie Kirk by the mainstream media based on literally zero evidence.\u201d In a separate video, Fuentes, who noted he was often in opposition to Kirk, told Groypers: \u201cTo all of my followers, if you take up arms, I disavow you,\u201d adding, \u201cI disown you in the strongest possible terms.\u201d <\/p>\n What Do We Know About Tyler Robinson\u2019s Political Beliefs?<\/p>\n Robinson was unaffiliated with any party, and voter records indicate Robinson was considered \u201cinactive,\u201d meaning he did not vote in the 2024 presidential election, his first since turning 18, the New York Times reported<\/a>. One of Robinson\u2019s relatives told law enforcement that Robinson became \u201cmore political\u201d in recent years, though other details about his political affiliations are not known. His parents are registered as Republicans, according to the Times.<\/p>\n What Are The Beliefs Held By Groypers?<\/p>\n Groypers view traditional conservatism as being too moderate and believe shifting racial and cultural demographics pose an existential threat to white Americans, according to the Institute for Strategic Dialogue. Groypers believe the U.S. should close its borders, are opposed to liberal values, feminism and LGBTQ+ rights, arguing conservatives\u2014including the late Kirk and Trump\u2014should learn further to the right. Last year, Fuentes said<\/a> he declared \u201cwar\u201d against Trump\u2019s presidential campaign, after earlier opposing<\/a> Trump\u2019s support of Israel.<\/p>\n Key Background<\/p>\n Robinson, 22, was arrested late Thursday in connection with the fatal shooting of Kirk earlier in the week. Robinson, who has yet to be formally charged, was taken into custody after confessing or suggesting to committing the killing to a family member, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said Friday. He was identified in video surveillance footage from Utah Valley University, where Kirk\u2019s Turning Point USA was holding the first of a nationwide college tour, and then arrested near St. George, Utah, according to Cox. Robinson told family members about Kirk coming to the state ahead of his visit to Utah Valley University, and Robinson and his family talked about why they \u201cdidn\u2019t like [Kirk] and the viewpoints that he had.\u201d Kirk, a right-wing political activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA, rose in popularity while hosting his daily radio show, \u201cThe Charlie Kirk Show,\u201d and appearing as a voice in culture wars on college campuses. He was lauded by Trump and other Republicans for aiding Trump\u2019s presidential campaigns, and Trump has said he would posthumously award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom.<\/p>\n