Knicks' Mitchell Robinson Defends Post Mourning Charlie Kirk After Assassination

New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson pushed back on criticism after he posted condolences following the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.

Robinson reposted a gallery of images of Kirk to his Instagram account and wrote, "I feel bad for his family," in the immediate aftermath of the shooting. After receiving hostile responses from some fans who interpreted the gesture as support for the controversial pundit, Robinson addressed the backlash on Facebook, telling critics they were free to "unfollow, unfriend me whatever you have to do to never see what I do or say." He added, "I don't do the things I do for attention or clout... Again, I could care less what people think of me…the ones that know me already know what I stand for!"

Robinson wrote that he generally avoids politics but said he did not understand why people would be "so sensitive and offended about someone else's opinion or beliefs." He emphasized respect for differing viewpoints — "I don't care if you black, white, green, or have stripes like a damn zebra or even like the same gender, I respect you either way!" — and framed his reaction in personal terms, noting, "As a father myself, no kid should have to grow up without their father or mother at the end of the day!"

Kirk, 31, was shot in the neck while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, and was rushed to a hospital before being pronounced dead, according to published reports. The shooting prompted widespread reaction across political and social media circles and intensified scrutiny of public figures' responses to the killing.

Robinson, a 27-year-old center who has spent his NBA career with the Knicks, has not been publicly disciplined by the team or the league in connection with the posts. The Knicks did not immediately comment on Robinson's social-media activity.

Public reaction to athletes' commentary on political or social issues has repeatedly drawn attention in recent years, with fans and organizations often sharply divided over whether expressions of sympathy or political views reflect endorsement. Robinson's post and subsequent response underscore the tensions athletes face when personal reactions intersect with public debate.

Robinson's posts remained on his social-media accounts as of the latest updates, and he concluded his Facebook statement by reiterating that he was unconcerned with those who disapproved of his views, saying, "You don't have to like me you can unfollow, unfriend me whatever you have to do to never see what I do or say I could care less about what you do or think of me!"

No further incidents involving Robinson and the Knicks were reported in connection with the matter as of Sunday.