On September 10, 2025, the political climate in the United States was rocked by the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA, while he was speaking at an outdoor event at Utah Valley University. The event, attended by students and supporters, ended in tragedy as gunfire rang out, leaving Kirk fatally wounded and the nation in disbelief. As authorities launched a manhunt for the shooter, later identified as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson and taken into custody on September 13, the ripple effects of the killing extended far beyond Utah, reaching the heart of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Within hours of Kirk’s death, the already polarized discourse around his activism and politics intensified. In Cincinnati, Aaron Sharpe—a minority co-owner of the popular Lucius Q barbecue restaurant—posted a comment on Facebook in response to a post asking for prayers for Kirk and his family. Sharpe’s words were blunt and incendiary: “Good riddance. What a piece of s---.” The comment, quickly deleted but immortalized in screenshots, ignited a firestorm across social media platforms and local business communities.
According to Fox News, Sharpe doubled down on his stance later that evening, writing, “If you think that threats of social media attacks on me or my business will in any way keep me silent about what I believe, you are sorely mistaken. I know exactly who I am and on what side of history I stand.” The posts, which also included criticism of former President Donald Trump—a close ally of Kirk—circulated widely and drew thousands of angry responses. Lucius Q’s social media and Google review pages were flooded with condemnation, and calls for boycotts quickly mounted.
The backlash was swift and severe. By the evening of September 11, Lucius Q had issued a public statement on Facebook, making it clear that Sharpe was “no longer associated with Lucius Q. We found the comments he made on his personal social media pages offensive and, as a result, have severed ties with him.” The statement marked the beginning of a cascade of consequences for both Sharpe and the restaurant he helped found in 2018 alongside Jeff Keate and Shane Spears. Known for its appearances on the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives,” Lucius Q suddenly found itself at the center of a national controversy.
The fallout didn’t stop there. On September 12, TQL Stadium—home to Major League Soccer’s FC Cincinnati and a prominent venue that had partnered with Lucius Q for food service—announced it was terminating its relationship with the restaurant. In a statement quoted by WCPO-TV, TQL Stadium said, “We expect our vendors and partners to uphold the values of respect and tolerance that are core to our club’s identity. We were founded on the idea that soccer unites, and we remain committed to ensuring that FCC is for all and that we provide a safe and welcoming environment for our patrons. Toward that end, we have terminated our relationship with Lucius Q.”
Factory 52, a Cincinnati-area mall and home to one of Lucius Q’s locations inside The Gatherall food hall, also responded. The management issued a statement on September 12 noting, “These comments do not reflect the values of Factory 52, the Gatherall, our residents, or the Norwood community. We do not condone violent or threatening speech of any kind. This matter is being taken very seriously, and we are reviewing all legal options to address it appropriately.” The statement underscored the seriousness with which local businesses and communities were treating the controversy.
Even Lucius Q’s longtime meat supplier, Avril Bleh Meat Market, cut ties with the restaurant. The family-owned butcher posted on Facebook, “We never condone violence of any sort. For this reason, we have decided to sever our relationship with Lucius Q BBQ.” Steve Bleh, a member of the family business, added, “No amount of money will ever be worth it.” The backlash from business partners, customers, and the broader Cincinnati community was overwhelming.
On September 12, Lucius Q issued a further apology to the public and to the Kirk family. In a heartfelt statement, the majority owners wrote, “Yesterday, a minority owner in Lucius Q made abominable comments about the tragic murder of Charlie Kirk. We, as the majority owners of the business, have been entirely focused on removing this person from our organization, and have been successful. We want to apologize to our community for his words – they do not reflect the feelings of the current owners, investors, management, or our incredible staff. Lucius Q does not condone violence in any shape or form. We are proud to serve a diverse city with diverse beliefs, and strive to be a place where the community can come together, not be driven apart. As husbands, fathers, wives, and mothers ourselves, we’d like to personally apologize to the family of Charlie Kirk. We take our commitment to the city of Cincinnati seriously, and look forward to earning back your business.”
Despite the public severing of ties, some critics questioned whether a minority owner could be removed so quickly. Lucius Q responded, according to Fox News, “While it is a difficult process to remove a minority owner from a partnership, the point is this person is no longer involved with Lucius Q in any way, shape or form. The rest is just legal details.” The restaurant reiterated its commitment to inclusivity and respect, hoping to reassure its patrons and the greater Cincinnati community.
The controversy around Sharpe’s remarks and the subsequent business fallout highlights the deep divisions in American society, especially when it comes to public figures like Charlie Kirk, who was both celebrated and reviled for his outspoken conservative activism. For some, Sharpe’s comments were an unacceptable celebration of violence; for others, they reflected a broader frustration with the polarized nature of public discourse. Yet the overwhelming response from businesses, partners, and the public made clear that, in this instance, there was little tolerance for such rhetoric, regardless of political persuasion.
As the dust settles, Lucius Q faces the challenge of rebuilding its reputation and regaining the trust of its community. The restaurant’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the far-reaching consequences of speech—especially in the age of social media—and the responsibilities that come with business ownership in a diverse and divided nation.
In the end, the events surrounding Charlie Kirk’s death and the aftermath in Cincinnati offer a stark reminder of how quickly words can ignite controversy and how communities, businesses, and individuals must navigate the turbulent waters of public opinion and civil discourse in America today.
