Fact Check: Did Charlie Kirk Call George Floyd a “Scumbag”?
- Claim: Turning Point USA CEO and co-founder Charlie Kirk publicly referred to George Floyd as a “scumbag.”
- Rating: True
Context
The claim stems from remarks made by Charlie Kirk referencing George Floyd’s background and the events surrounding his 2020 death. During a public appearance, Kirk stated:
“I am also going to offer some context and some nuance about the death of George Floyd that no one dares to say out loud. Which is that this guy was a scumbag. Now, does that mean he deserves to die? That’s two totally different things — of course not.”
Background
In September 2026—roughly a year following Charlie Kirk’s assassination—social media users began recirculating past remarks made by the conservative activist. Among these resurfaced clips was a statement regarding George Floyd, which quickly gained traction across platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram, as well as various news outlets.
Documentation confirms that the quote is authentic. Kirk made the remark on October 6, 2021, during a speech at Minnesota State University in Mankato as part of his “Exposing Critical Racism Tour.” The event was livestreamed by Turning Point USA, and the “scumbag” comment occurs around the 15:28 mark of the broadcast.
During the speech, Kirk addressed the protests and political fallout following Floyd’s death on May 25, 2020, arguing that the public reaction was based on a “misinterpretation” of the event. While explicitly stating that Floyd did not deserve to die, Kirk proceeded to bring up various aspects of Floyd’s criminal history and personal background, drawing heavy criticism from mainstream media outlets and observers who characterized his statements as pushing debunked claims and aspersions.
The resurfaced quote is one of several controversial statements attributed to Kirk that circulated widely online following his death in September 2025, sitting alongside both genuine controversial remarks and fabricated internet rumors.