Charlie Kirk shooting: The Chaser cops backlash for ‘disgraceful’ R U OK? Day joke in wake of activist’s death

There’s too soon, and then there’s this “disgraceful” attempt at humour by Aussie satirical commentators The Chaser following the assassination of American conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

The humourists’ gag involved a headline to a story about the scenes at Kirk’s Turning Point USA organisation and was published just hours after he was shot dead at a Utah Valley University rally.

The organisation, which Kirk founded in 2012, advocates in favour of principles of freedom among college students.

“R U OK? Day not going well at Turning Point,” the p***-take headline reads.

While political supporters in the US remain divided over their views, those closer to home have largely been unified in their response to The Chaser’s regrettable joke.

Comments have since been disabled on The Chaser’s social media posts, but not before their actions were widely condemned.

“I‘ve always enjoyed dark humour. This is objectively unfunny. Genuinely s***. Not even edgy. Just lame. Not even ABC Comedy level. Your writers room is very weak. Call it a day,” former Liberal Democractic candidate Daniel Lewkovitz wrote.

“So disrespectful.... unfollowed,” another user said, while one person suggested the joke was “Gross and vile. Not humour. Despicable post”.

One passionate user implored The Chaser to consider the family of Kirk, including his widow and two children.

“He has a wife and 2 kids you f****** disgraceful f****** c***s, f*** you all,” they wrote, among other expletives.

Kirk was married to Erika Frantzve, a model and ministry leader, who was crowned Miss Arizona in 2012.

The right-wing Trump campaigner, 31, was publicly gunned down during a packed rally on Wednesday, with his shooter yet to be identified.

The Chaser isn’t the only media outlet cop heat for targeting the fallen politician, with American digital title Jezebel publishing a story which took aim at Kirk’s conservative views just days before he was shot in the neck.

“We Paid Some Etsy Witches to Curse Charlie Kirk,” Jezebel headlined a story.

“If the far-right misogynist with a bad haircut wants to villainize independent women, Jezebel is more than happy to be the hag of his nightmares,” the publication added.

In a tragic turn of events few saw coming, Jezebel has since published an editor’s note condemning Kirk’s assassination.

“Editor’s Note: This story was published on September 8. Jezebel condemns the shooting of Charlie Kirk in the strongest possible terms. We do not endorse, encourage, or excuse political violence of any kind,” they wrote.

US President Donald Trump has sworn to identify the party responsible for his murder, and released a statement in the hours following his death.

“My administration will find each and every one of those who contributed to this atrocity and to other political violence, including the organizations that fund it and support it, as well as those who go after our judges, law enforcement officials and everyone else who brings order to our country,” he said.

“Charlie was the best of America, and the monster who attacked him was attacking our whole country.”