Utah Governor Spencer Cox on Sunday confirmed reports that Tyler Robinson, the man arrested over the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, had been romantically involved with a transgender roommate, a detail likely to further inflame political tensions over the killing.
“Yes, I can confirm that,” Cox said on CNN’s State of the Union when asked about Robinson’s relationship. “The roommate was a romantic partner, a male transitioning to a female. This partner has been incredibly cooperative, had no idea that this was happening, and is working with investigators right now.”
Cox cautioned that it remains unclear whether the partner’s transition played any role in Robinson’s alleged motive. “I’m not sure about that piece right now. Again, all of these things—we’re trying to figure out,” he said.
Kirk, a close ally of US President Donald Trump and a vocal critic of transgender rights, was fatally shot on Wednesday during a speaking event at a Utah university campus.
Reports of Robinson’s relationship circulated in US media on Saturday, quickly sparking outrage among far-right figures online. Conservative activist Laura Loomer speculated on social media about a supposed “trans terror cell,” while billionaire Elon Musk, who owns X, endorsed a post calling for a ban on transgender hormone therapy, replying: “Absolutely.”
Cox, who earlier in the week urged Americans to lower the nation’s toxic political temperature, told The Wall Street Journal that investigators had been informed Robinson was “deeply indoctrinated with leftist ideology.” On Sunday, he stopped short of repeating that phrasing but said family members and friends described Robinson as “not a fan” of Kirk.
The investigation into Kirk’s killing remains ongoing.
AFP
