Charlie Kirk called George Floyd a ‘scumbag.’ Here’s context

Following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, social media users circulated multiple alleged statements by the conservative activist, some of which were accurately attributed and others were not. Among them was the claim Kirk once called George Floyd a “scumbag.”

Snopes readers emailed and searched our website about the purported quote involving Floyd, the Black man who was killed by a white police officer in May 2020, prompting protests against racism in policing worldwide.

 “George Floyd was a father too and Charlie Kirk called him a ‘scumbag,’” read one X post (archived) with over 19 million views.

The claim spread on X, Facebook and Instagram, as well as via outlets such as Black News and India Times.

It was true Kirk called Floyd a “scumbag” during a 2021 public appearance in Mankato, Minnesota, according to a video of that event. He apparently made the comment in reference to Floyd’s alleged criminal history and the circumstances surrounding his death.

Kirk’s exact words were: “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.” 

The event took place on Oct. 6, 2021, at Minnesota State University as part of Kirk’s “Exposing Critical Racism Tour.” Turning Point USA, Kirk’s political organization, streamed (archived) the event live on YouTube under the title, “LIVE: Charlie Kirk at Minnesota State University – Mankato.” (Kirk made the “scumbag” remark around the 15:28 mark in the video.)

Below is our transcript of the relevant portion of Kirk’s speech, with emphasis added for clarity:

On May 25th, 2020, up in Minneapolis, a cell phone video changed the trajectory of our entire nation. In this state.

The reason why our tour is called the CRT [Critical Racism Tour] Tour is because of George Floyd’s death and the misinterpretation of that. And I’m not going to go on this endless soapbox defending Derek Chauvin, I think he’s kind of not a great person. But 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. 

After that comment, Kirk listed a series of accusations about Floyd’s background, criminal history and cause of death — all with varying degrees of legitimacy. The Associated Press, reporting on the event, described that section of the speech as “an avalanche of aspersions and debunked claims about Floyd.”

Kirk claimed protests and debates following Floyd’s death were based on a “misinterpretation” of the event.

At the time, several media outlets reported on the event and Kirk’s comments about Floyd, including the Minnesota Reporter and University of Alabama student-run publication The Crimson White.

The “scumbag” statement is just one of many purported quotes by Kirk circulating after his death. For example, social media users are sharing an authentic quote he made about some prominent Black women not having “the brain processing power to otherwise be taken really seriously,” as well as a false rumor about him supposedly saying gay people should be stoned to death.

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