Brian Kilmeade, co-host of Fox & Friends, made headlines for his controversial comments during a segment on the murder of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska, who was stabbed to death on a light rail train in North Carolina by a homeless man with schizophrenia.
In the discussion with co-host Lawrence Jones, who criticized the lack of impact from billions spent on mental health and homelessness programs and advocated for removing choice from such individuals—either participate in programs or face jail—Kilmeade interjected with 'Or involuntary lethal injection or something.
Just kill 'em.' The remark, resurfaced in a viral clip, sparked widespread outrage on social media.
Critics included former Republican Rep.
Adam Kinzinger, who tweeted that Jesus would condemn such suggestions, California Governor Gavin Newsom quoting Proverbs 21:13, Rep.
Don Beyer highlighting that America's homeless include over a million children and veterans, and author Shannon Watts contrasting Kilmeade's comments with the firing of MSNBC's Matthew Dowd for criticizing Charlie Kirk's rhetoric.
Kilmeade addressed the backlash on Sunday morning, prompted by Jones, stating, 'During that discussion, I wrongly said they should get lethal injections.
I apologize for that extremely callous remark.
I am obviously aware that not all mentally ill homeless people act as the perpetrator did in North Carolina and that so many homeless people deserve our empathy and compassion.' The incident underscores ongoing debates on homelessness, with statistics from the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans noting 20% of male homeless are veterans.
Calls for Kilmeade's firing rose amid a climate where offensive comments about conservative figures like Charlie Kirk led to terminations elsewhere, highlighting perceived media asymmetries.
Despite the apology, the remarks have fueled discussions on empathy, policy, and media responsibility in addressing societal issues like mental health and homelessness.
In the discussion with co-host Lawrence Jones, who criticized the lack of impact from billions spent on mental health and homelessness programs and advocated for removing choice from such individuals—either participate in programs or face jail—Kilmeade interjected with 'Or involuntary lethal injection or something.
Just kill 'em.' The remark, resurfaced in a viral clip, sparked widespread outrage on social media.
Critics included former Republican Rep.
Adam Kinzinger, who tweeted that Jesus would condemn such suggestions, California Governor Gavin Newsom quoting Proverbs 21:13, Rep.
Don Beyer highlighting that America's homeless include over a million children and veterans, and author Shannon Watts contrasting Kilmeade's comments with the firing of MSNBC's Matthew Dowd for criticizing Charlie Kirk's rhetoric.
Kilmeade addressed the backlash on Sunday morning, prompted by Jones, stating, 'During that discussion, I wrongly said they should get lethal injections.
I apologize for that extremely callous remark.
I am obviously aware that not all mentally ill homeless people act as the perpetrator did in North Carolina and that so many homeless people deserve our empathy and compassion.' The incident underscores ongoing debates on homelessness, with statistics from the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans noting 20% of male homeless are veterans.
Calls for Kilmeade's firing rose amid a climate where offensive comments about conservative figures like Charlie Kirk led to terminations elsewhere, highlighting perceived media asymmetries.
Despite the apology, the remarks have fueled discussions on empathy, policy, and media responsibility in addressing societal issues like mental health and homelessness.