New York, NY — Fox News host Greg Gutfeld erupted in anger during a heated on-air debate about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, clashing fiercely with co-host Jessica Tarlov in a moment that stunned both the studio and the viewing audience. The exchange, broadcast live on The Five, highlighted not only the raw emotions surrounding Kirk’s killing but also the deep political divide over how to interpret its meaning.

The Flashpoint

The confrontation unfolded as the panel discussed the arrest of Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old suspect accused of fatally shooting Kirk during a campus debate at Utah Valley University on September 10. Robinson allegedly fired a single bullet into Kirk’s neck, killing the 31-year-old conservative figure in front of students and faculty.

Governor Spencer Cox of Utah described Robinson as “deeply indoctrinated with leftist ideology,” though federal investigators have not confirmed a political motive. The uncertainty has fueled speculation and finger-pointing across the political spectrum.

On Monday night, Gutfeld seized on the narrative that the attack was proof of left-wing extremism. “Why is only this happening on the left and not the right? That’s all we need to know,” he said.

Clash With Jessica Tarlov

Jessica Tarlov, a Democratic strategist and regular panelist on The Five, pushed back. She reminded viewers of the June assassination of Minnesota Democratic lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, carried out by a right-wing extremist.

That comparison set off Gutfeld. “I never heard of her until after she died,” he shot back.

“So she doesn’t matter?” Tarlov interjected.

Visibly furious, Gutfeld exploded: “Oh, don’t play that bulls**t with me!” His outburst left the studio tense and the audience stunned.

“Both Sides” Argument Rejected

Gutfeld continued his tirade, dismissing the idea of moral equivalence between political violence on the left and right. “We don’t care about your both sides argument. That s**t is dead,” he declared. “On your side, your beliefs do not match reality, so you’re coming up with rationalizations like ‘What about this, what about that?’”

He insisted Kirk’s assassination stood apart because Kirk was a nationally recognized figure. “What I’m saying is there was no demonization amplification about that woman before she died. It was a specific crime against her by somebody that knew her. This is different,” Gutfeld argued.

Tarlov, clearly shaken, clarified that she did not intend to minimize Kirk’s killing. “I was horrified by it,” she said, urging the panel and viewers to wait for official findings about Robinson’s motives. But Gutfeld cut her off: “Let’s have a conversation? Charlie had a conversation and he got shot!”

At that point, Tarlov buried her face in her hands as the exchange reached its boiling point.

Trump Weighs In

Former President Donald Trump echoed Gutfeld’s outrage in his own Fox News appearance. On Fox & Friends, he blamed Kirk’s death squarely on leftist extremism. “We have radical left lunatics out there, and we just have to beat the hell out of them,” Trump said. He contrasted radicals on the right as people motivated by opposition to crime, while portraying radicals on the left as “vicious, horrible, and politically savvy.”

Trump’s comments further inflamed the debate, hardening partisan lines as details of the case continue to emerge.

The Suspect and Next Steps

Tyler Robinson remains in custody following a dramatic 33-hour manhunt that ended when his father turned him in. Police allege Robinson escaped after the shooting by leaping from a rooftop “sniper’s nest” and went into hiding before surrendering.

He faces felony charges and could face the death penalty if convicted. Robinson is scheduled to make his first court appearance this week.

A Divisive Debate

For Fox News, the fiery on-air exchange between Gutfeld and Tarlov underscored the emotional volatility surrounding Kirk’s death. For Gutfeld, the incident was further evidence of a leftist-driven culture of political violence. For Tarlov, it was a reminder that violence exists across the spectrum and should not be weaponized before facts are clear.

The studio may have moved on, but the viral clip of Gutfeld’s eruption will ensure the moment continues to circulate, symbolizing the deep fractures in how Americans understand — and argue over — political violence.