Tennis WAG Morgan Riddle posts anti-MAGA gesture on Instagram amid Charlie Kirk death coverage

Tennis influencer Morgan Riddle, the girlfriend of American tennis star Taylor Fritz, publicly signaled an anti-MAGA stance on social media this week, parting with a string of personal posts that drew attention for their political edge. Riddle’s activity appears in the wake of a high-profile political-momentum story involving conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot during a Turning Point USA event in Utah last week, according to reports.

In a Thursday-night Instagram story, Riddle shared a throwback photo of herself as a young girl wearing red, accompanied by a rainbow balloon and the caption: “My first (Minneapolis) pride... diva’d down since the womb.” The post referenced pride and drew responses from followers who urged caution about expressing political views in a public-facing space, citing sponsor concerns and audience reach as potential consequences. Riddle’s message, however, continued beyond the initial post.

In a subsequent post from 2016, Riddle resurfaced an image of herself in Midtown Manhattan, flipping the camera’s view toward Trump Tower with a raised middle finger. “Want to remind again because I get these stupid messages every day,” Riddle wrote in one caption, adding: “I’m not ‘getting’ political, I’ve quite literally always been a hater.” The sequence illustrates a stark public stance on Trump-era politics, layered with personal expression that has drawn attention from fans and critics alike.

The posts come about a week after Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative activist and MAGA influencer, was fatally shot at Utah Valley University while hosting a Q&A for Turning Point USA. The incident sparked swift reactions across political and media circles, with commentators discussing the broader political climate and its impact on public discourse. The death has also touched the sports world, with some athletes and partners weighing in as part of a wider conversation about division in the country.

Paige Lorenze, fiancée of US tennis player Tommy Paul, used social media to reflect on the moment and the mood surrounding the country. Lorenze described America as “divided and troubled” and offered prayers for Kirk’s family, while also noting the broader sense of loss felt by many in the wake of recent tragedies. Lorenze’s posts were among several public responses from athletes and influencers reacting to Kirk’s death and the ongoing national discourse around politics and civility.

While Fritz has remained relatively quiet publicly on the Kirk tragedy, the relationship dynamic between Riddle and Fritz is part of the public narrative around their respective social-media profiles and political expressions. The couple has dated since 2020, and Fritz has not issued a public statement regarding Kirk’s death, according to available coverage.

Public commentary in sports circles has grown amid the incident, with fans and commentators pointing to the role of athletes’ partners in shaping conversations about politics and sports. The event also intersected with other recent tragedies cited by public figures, including the death of Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee, in Charlotte earlier this year, which Lorenze referenced as part of a broader call for compassion and unity.

Overall, the episode underscores how political affiliations and debates increasingly intersect with athletic fame and personal visibility. As the discussions unfold, observers note that athletes’ partners and close associates may become focal points in online conversations about ideology, responsibility, and audience expectations in contemporary American public life.