On September 10, 2025, the political landscape in America was rocked by the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA, while he was speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Kirk’s death, at just 31 years old, sent ripples through both political and cultural circles, igniting conversations about free speech, political violence, and the value of open debate in a deeply divided nation.
In the weeks following the tragedy, reactions poured in from every corner of the political spectrum and from the entertainment industry. Among the most thought-provoking responses came from Sean Penn, the Academy Award-winning actor and activist, who shared his reflections in a September 27 interview with The New York Times. Penn, whose latest film "One Battle After Another" had just been released on September 26, found himself contemplating not only the loss of Kirk but the state of political discourse in America itself.
Penn’s comments stood out for their candor and nuance. Despite acknowledging that he "disagreed with almost everything" Kirk stood for, Penn argued that figures like Kirk are essential to democracy. "We need that debate. We’ve gotta fight it out and find a compromise," Penn told The New York Times. He elaborated on the dangers of escalating political violence, observing, "[Acts of political violence] do come into fashion, and the way we kill the fashion of it is people of conscience on both sides recognizing that if somebody really believes something, that’s your friend."
For Penn, Kirk’s murder felt uniquely disturbing. "This one seems different. It seems different than the members of Congress. It seems different than the insurance executive. It seems even different than the attempt on the president. There’s something about this one," he said, referencing other recent high-profile killings, including those of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband. According to Variety, Penn admitted he did not closely follow Kirk’s work but believed the conservative activist embodied a perspective worth engaging with, rather than dismissing outright.
Penn’s remarks quickly became a lightning rod for debate across social media and news outlets. Some praised his willingness to defend the principle of open dialogue, even with those whose views he found objectionable. Others, however, questioned whether all viewpoints deserve a seat at the table, especially when they touch on fundamental rights or the humanity of marginalized groups. As one commentator on Reddit put it, "It’s always the people whose very existence isn’t up for debate who want to normalize ‘debating’ the rights/humanity of marginalized people." Another added, "Debate and compromise should be between two reasonable positions. Racism and sexism and hate are not reasonable positions."
Yet, Penn’s central message was about the importance of recognizing the sincerity and depth of belief on both sides of contentious issues. He used the debate over reproductive rights as a prime example. "I’m talking about if somebody believes that a human being starts at conception, if you can’t understand that concept, you’re just stupid," he said. "And if you’re not willing to tolerate the concept as a concept that’s held as deeply as I may have a belief that, I don’t know, let the woman decide. All of these are valid opinions." Penn was careful to draw a line, clarifying he was not defending "some sociopathic Nazism," but rather advocating for tolerance of deeply held, good-faith convictions.
The outpouring of reactions to Kirk’s death was not limited to Hollywood. According to Breitbart News and Variety, celebrities including Stephen Colbert, Whoopi Goldberg, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Keaton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Amanda Seyfried all shared their condolences. President Donald Trump delivered an emotional tribute at the Charlie Kirk Memorial, calling Kirk "a giant of his generation" and "one of the brightest lights of our times." Trump further stated, "Our country was robbed of a devoted husband, father, son, Christian, and patriot. He was assassinated because he lived bravely, he lived boldly, and he argued brilliantly without apology. He did what was right for our nation. On that terrible day, our greatest evangelist for American liberty became immortal."
Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, also spoke movingly at the memorial, underscoring her late husband’s commitment to reaching disaffected young men. "Charlie passionately wanted to reach and save the lost boys of the West. The young men who feel like they have no direction, no purpose, no faith, and no reason to live," she said. "When he went on to campus, he was looking to show them a better path and a better life. That was right there for the taking. He wanted to show them that."
Police have since charged 22-year-old Tyler Robinson in connection with Kirk’s murder, according to Breitbart News. The investigation remains ongoing, but the incident has already become a flashpoint in national conversations about the boundaries of protest, the dangers of political extremism, and the responsibilities of public figures.
Penn’s reflections come at a time when the country appears more polarized than ever. He lamented America’s acceptance of public-facing polarization, remarking, "I’ve increasingly lost any kind of understanding about why we have as a country become so compliant with the public-facing polarization, when any of us who talk to each other understand that while there’s this incredible partisanship that is expressed in the power-hustling of politics and media, it isn’t the case with individuals."
The release of "One Battle After Another," directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and based on Thomas Pynchon’s novel Vineland, added another dimension to Penn’s public presence this month. The film, featuring a star-studded cast including Leonardo DiCaprio, Benicio Del Toro, Regina Hall, and Teyana Taylor, marks Penn’s return to acting after a brief hiatus. In a separate interview with Vanity Fair, Penn described the project as a turning point, saying he was drawn back to the screen by Anderson’s script and the opportunity to work with "really good writing."
Looking ahead, Penn revealed plans to focus more on directing, with a new project alongside English actor Tom Hardy set to begin production in summer 2026. Outside of film, Penn remains active in humanitarian work through his organization CORE and continues to speak out on global crises, including the war in Ukraine.
As the country grapples with the aftermath of Kirk’s death and the ongoing challenges of polarization, Penn’s call for mutual respect and honest debate strikes a chord—one that echoes far beyond Hollywood or Capitol Hill. In a time of deep divisions, the willingness to see "the other side" as more than just an opponent may be the first step toward healing, even as the nation mourns the loss of one of its most polarizing voices.
