Fact-check analysisVerified as of September 15, 2025Curated by FactVerify
Unverified

Kari Lake says Kirk’s killer was “radicalized” in college. He did one semester online during COVID, at Utah State.

There is no clear, confirmed evidence in the available sources that the suspect in Charlie Kirk's killing was 'radicalized' in college or that he did one semester online at Utah State during COVID.

First Thing: Kirk shooting suspect had ‘very different ideology’ to conservative family, Utah governor says - US news | The Guardian

First Thing: Kirk shooting suspect had ‘very different ideology’ to conservative family, Utah governor says - US news | The Guardian

Source: theguardian.com

At a glance

Key Evidence

Verified September 15, 2025
The reporting

What the Evidence Shows

The claim that Kari Lake said Kirk’s killer was 'radicalized' in college and that he did one semester online at Utah State during COVID is not directly supported by the provided sources. Multiple sources report that the suspect, Tyler Robinson, had a very different ideology from his conservative family and was described by Utah Governor Spencer Cox as 'clearly a leftist' who lived with a trans partner.theguardian.comtheguardian.comFirst Thing: Kirk shooting suspect had ‘very different ideology’ to conservative...timesofisrael.comtimesofisrael.comUtah governor: Charlie Kirk murder suspect 'clearly a leftist,' lived with trans...

The governor also mentioned the suspect was radicalized online, but none of the sources specify that this radicalization occurred during college or that it was linked to a semester at Utah State University. Furthermore, one source states the suspect is currently enrolled in an electrical apprenticeship program at Dixie Technical College, but there is no mention of Utah State University or online study during COVID.pbs.orgpbs.orgUtah Gov. Cox shares more details from investigation into motive of Kirk...

The sources focus more on ideological differences and online radicalization rather than educational history or specific semesters attended. Therefore, the specific details about college radicalization and one semester online at Utah State remain unverified based on these sources.

Primary trail

Verified Sources10

Charlie Kirk assassinated at university event in Utah

apnews.com
Open source

First Thing: Kirk shooting suspect had ‘very different ideology’ to conservative...

theguardian.com
Open source

After Kirk shooting, Utah governor calls social media a “cancer.” Will we treat...

arstechnica.com
Open source
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