Good Morning Britain has been bombarded with 354 Ofcom complaints after author Nels Abbey compared murdered American activist Charlie Kirk to a former Ku Klux Klan leader just hours after his assassination. The controversial remarks aired on Thursday morning’s programme, less than 24 hours after Kirk, 31, was fatally shot at Utah Valley University.
Broadcasting regulator Ofcom confirmed the complaints centred on the 11 September episode, which featured a heated discussion between hosts Kate Garraway and Ed Balls alongside guests Michael Gove and Nels Abbey. The segment addressing Kirk’s death sparked immediate viewer outrage and widespread condemnation across social media platforms.
Charlie Kirk, founder of conservative youth organisation Turning Point USA, was shot in the neck whilst delivering a speech about gun violence at the Utah campus on Wednesday, 10 September. The father of two young children was pronounced dead after being rushed to Timpanogos Regional Hospital.
‘David Duke for the TikTok Age’
During the ITV morning programme, former Conservative MP Michael Gove initially described Kirk as “a sort of Cicero for the TikTok age”, referencing the ancient Roman philosopher. Gove characterised Kirk as someone who “deliberately set out to debate on campuses across the country in order to spread the MAGA message, the Trump gospel.
However, author and cultural commentator Nels Abbey immediately interjected with his controversial comparison. “Can I just say something? I don’t believe he was a Cicero for the TikTok age, I believe he was a David Duke for the TikTok age,” Abbey stated.
When host Kate Garraway asked for clarification about David Duke, Abbey explained: “He was the former Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan.” Duke, a neo-Nazi American politician, previously led the white supremacist organisation responsible for decades of racial violence and intimidation.
Abbey Defends Controversial Stance
Despite acknowledging the tragedy, Abbey maintained his critical stance throughout the segment. “This is by no means trying to justify his murder. Political violence is wrong at home; it’s wrong abroad,” he stated. “Political violence must be condemned, as must the propagandising for political violence and the dehumanisation of people.”
Abbey went further, claiming Kirk “was quite clearly and comfortably a supremacist” rather than a conservative. He added: “I shiver, particularly for Conservatives when he’s described as Conservative, because he wasn’t by any means whatsoever.”
The author suggested Kirk had contributed to violence against minorities, stating: “The very sort of people he helped dehumanise over the years… the exact same thing that he sort of helped to legitimise for them has happened to him.”
Abbey concluded with what he termed a “moral lesson”, saying: “It’s sad, it’s wrong, but there’s a moral lesson in here too, which is to recognise your own vulnerability, be more empathetic, don’t propagandise for people’s murder. It could happen to you.”
Social Media Erupts in Outrage
The segment triggered immediate backlash on social media platform X, formerly Twitter. One viewer wrote: “Nels Abbey on Good Morning Britain just compared Charlie Kirk to a KKK leader and called him a white supremacist… whilst pretending to show some sympathy for the murder. Shameful, considering it is less than 24 hours since the event.”
Another commenter stated: “Your comments on GMB lacked empathy. You used the platform to vilify Charlie Kirk. Charlie Kirk didn’t read from scripts; he was open and transparent and often provoked young minds to be more diverse in their approach.”
A third viewer expressed disgust: “Disgusted by Nels this morning – hosts should have stepped in – his tone and comparisons were abhorrent.”
Multiple viewers called for Abbey to be banned from future appearances, with one stating: “GMB allowing Nels Abbey airtime to smear Charlie Kirk as some kind of KKK leader and claim it’s ‘his own fault’ is an absolute disgrace.”
Investigation and Arrest
Tyler Robinson, 22, has been arrested and charged with Kirk’s aggravated murder following a nationwide manhunt. The Washington, Utah resident was apprehended on Friday after his family contacted authorities. He faces additional charges for weapons offences and obstruction of justice.
FBI Co-Deputy Director Dan Bongino revealed on Monday that Robinson had an “obsession” with Kirk based on digital evidence. Text messages allegedly showed Robinson stating he had “the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk” and that “some hatred cannot be negotiated with.”
The shooting occurred at approximately 12:23 PM local time as Kirk addressed a crowd estimated at over 3,000 people. Investigators say the fatal shot came from a nearby rooftop, with the gunman fleeing into a wooded area where authorities later recovered a bolt-action rifle.
White House Response
President Donald Trump issued a proclamation ordering flags at all federal buildings to be flown at half-staff until sunset on 14 September. The President condemned the assassination, stating: “It’s long past time for all Americans and the media to confront the fact that violence and murder are the tragic consequence of demonising those with whom you disagree.”
Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, vowed to continue her husband’s mission with Turning Point USA, thanking law enforcement and President Trump for their support. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also paid tribute, calling Kirk “a lion-hearted friend of Israel” who “fought the lies and stood tall for Judeo-Christian civilisation.
Broadcasting Standards Under Scrutiny
The controversy adds to mounting concerns about broadcasting standards during coverage of political violence. Ofcom’s investigation will examine whether ITV breached broadcasting rules regarding harm and offence, particularly given the proximity to Kirk’s death.
This is not the first time Good Morning Britain has faced regulatory scrutiny. The programme previously attracted thousands of complaints over various controversial segments, though this incident marks one of the highest complaint volumes for a single discussion about an international news event.
ITV has not yet issued a formal statement regarding the complaints or whether any editorial review will follow. The broadcaster typically allows Ofcom to complete its assessment before commenting on regulatory matters.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions in British media coverage of American political figures and the challenges of discussing political violence in the immediate aftermath of tragedy. Critics argue the segment demonstrated poor editorial judgement, whilst others defend the right to critical political commentary even in sensitive circumstances.
Follow for more updates on Britannia Daily
