WNBA’s Natasha Cloud deletes social post after suspect in Charlie Kirk shooting identified

New York Liberty guard Natasha Cloud deleted a post on X Friday that drew backlash after Utah authorities identified the suspect in the shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox confirmed that law enforcement arrested 22-year-old Tyler Robinson in connection with the investigation. Cloud’s deleted post said the suspect had been “raised in a good middle class family” and asserted members of the suspect’s family were Republicans, gun owners and Trump supporters. She left several other posts on her feed that continued to draw criticism.

In posts that remain visible, Cloud made further assertions about Robinson’s political leanings and included racially charged commentary. One post read, “Tyler Robinson and his parents were Republicans. FAR RIGHT REPUBLICANS.” Another post linked the shooting to recent hoax threats against historically Black colleges and universities, saying, “So why were y'all threatening HBCU’s when it was a 22-year-old white boy from Utah who shot Charlie? Racism. Not politics.” The FBI said Thursday it was “aware of hoax threat calls” to HBCUs.

Cloud also responded to an online critic with language referencing the suspect’s race, writing, “A white boy is literally what he is. He didn’t even have facial hair. Stop being soft.” Earlier in the week, shortly after the shooting of Kirk, Cloud posted a call for stricter firearms legislation, writing, “I AM TIIIRRREEEED. We need legislation surrounding our firearms.”

Fox News Digital reached out to the New York Liberty for comment.

Authorities and local officials have offered limited public details about the suspect beyond the arrest. Washington County School District communications director Steven Dunham confirmed to local outlets that Robinson was a student in the district from 2008 to May 2021, attending Pine View Middle School and Pine View High School. The Utah Board of Higher Education said Robinson was a third-year student in the electrical apprenticeship program at Dixie Technical College, had briefly attended Utah State University for one semester in 2021, and received concurrent enrollment credit through Utah Tech University while in high school.

Since becoming one of the WNBA’s more outspoken players, Cloud has drawn attention for political commentary. In July, she criticized former President Donald Trump and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and voiced support for a socialist New York City mayoral candidate. In June, she posted about U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, calling the day “A sad sad day” and “Grounds for impeachment.” In February, she commented on the elimination of several government diversity, equity and inclusion programs, saying the country’s systems of power have historically favored white men and need systemic change.

The posts and the subsequent deletion come as social media reactions to the Kirk shooting have been intensely polarized. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances of the attack and the suspect’s background. The FBI and local law enforcement have not publicly attributed a motive, and investigations into related threats and online activity are ongoing.

Cloud has played for the New York Liberty since 2020 and has been an active voice on political and social issues, frequently using social media to address policy and public safety concerns. The Liberty and the WNBA have previously navigated players’ public political remarks while balancing organizational and league communications.

Officials have advised that as the criminal investigation proceeds, many details may remain sealed pending prosecutions. Local law enforcement and federal agencies have asked anyone with information about the shooting or related threats to contact investigators.