Who Is Dean Withers? The Liberal Commentator Whose Reaction to Charlie Kirk’s Death Sparked Debate

The shocking assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on September 10, 2025, has drawn global attention. While many leaders and public figures shared tributes, the response of Dean Withers, a liberal commentator and one of Kirk’s biggest critics, has become a viral talking point.

Dean Withers’ Background

Dean Withers is a well-known online personality who built a strong presence on TikTok. He has over 4.3 million followers and 79 million likes, making him one of the most influential political commentators on social media. Known for his sharp criticism of Charlie Kirk and right-wing politics, Withers often speaks directly to his audience in live streams and short videos.

His Reaction to Kirk’s Assassination

Following the tragic event at Utah Valley University, Withers went live to address the news. Instead of a standard condolence, he gave a more emotional and pointed message.

“We can’t ignore the fact that words have consequences,” he said.

“His wife and children were in attendance. Imagine being 12 years old and watching your dad die. Nobody deserves that, not even Charlie Kirk.”

Withers broke down in tears while speaking, which surprised many of his viewers. The clip quickly went viral across platforms, reaching millions of people within hours.

Social Media Response

The reaction to Withers’ comments was divided. Many praised him for being raw and honest, saying he highlighted the dangers of toxic political culture. Others accused him of politicizing a tragedy and showing a lack of compassion.

To clarify his position, Withers later posted another video, explaining that he was “sad and distraught” and had just cried in front of his live audience of 250,000 people.

Who Was Charlie Kirk?

Charlie Kirk was a well-known conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA. He was a strong supporter of former U.S. President Donald Trump. Kirk was shot while addressing a crowd of over 3,000 people at UVU. Despite tight security, a gunman fired a shot that struck him in the neck. Authorities say the suspected shooter is still at large and is believed to be a college-aged male.

Kirk’s death has not only shaken American politics but also intensified conversations about political violence and online hate culture.