Charlie Kirk’s top opponent reacts candidly to his passing
Dean Withers, a 21-year-old political commentator and livestreamer, drew widespread attention for his emotional reaction to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Withers, who gained fame in 2023 for debating conservatives on TikTok and YouTube, has amassed a large following: over 4.3 million TikTok fans, 346,000 YouTube subscribers, and nearly 18 million video views. His viral clip “Can 1 Woke Teen Survive 20 Trump Supporters?” alone has 17 million views.
During a recent livestream watched by 250,000 people, Withers openly cried while responding to Kirk’s death, sharing his grief with his audience.
Raised in a conservative household, Withers later shifted his views after engaging with left-leaning thinkers and conducting his own research. He now advocates for liberal causes, including social justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and reproductive freedoms, often debating figures like Kirk in respectful, well-prepared discussions.
In a viral TikTok that has received over 10 million views, Withers described himself as “sad, distraught” and condemned the shooting, calling gun violence “disgusting, vile, and abhorrent.” He also sent condolences to Kirk’s family and witnesses of the tragedy.
Kirk was shot during a “prove me wrong” debate at Utah Valley University when a person in dark clothing fired a single shot from a nearby roof. The FBI continues searching for the suspect; two initially detained individuals were later cleared of involvement.
Kirk, known for his pro-Trump views and traditional values, frequently debated at colleges nationwide as part of his American Comeback Tour. He leaves behind his wife, Erika Frantzve, and their two young children, aged three years and 16 months.
@starsecertacc wow (turned off comments because people were being so disrespectful to each other #foryou #deanwither #charliekirk #gunviolenceawareness🧡🧡🧡 #fyp