A tribute to Charlie Kirk is shown on the Jumbotron before a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Bristol, Tennessee. (Wade Payne/AP)
The poll marks the first time in 15 years of NBC News polling that majorities of all major American political groups agree that extreme rhetoric was a major factor in causing a violent incident.
Polls going back to the 2011 shooting of former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., show a steady rise in Americans blaming political rhetoric for violence, rather than just a lone individual.
In Giffords' case, 71% of respondents blamed the lone attacker, while 24% blamed rhetoric. By the time of President Donald Trump's second assassination attempt, however, 37% blamed the attacker and 54% blamed rhetoric.
A crowd watches as Charlie Kirk appears at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025 in Orem, Utah. Booking photos for Tyler Robinson, 22, the suspect in the Utah assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images and Washington Co. Sheriff's Office)
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Robinson's next hearing is scheduled for Jan. 16, 2026, when he is expected to make his first in-person appearance.
Fox News' Michael Ruiz contributed to this report.
Anders Hagstrom is a reporter with Fox News Digital covering national politics and major breaking news events. Send tips to Anders.Hagstrom@Fox.com, or on Twitter: @Hagstrom_Anders.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/majority-democrats-say-extremist-political-rhetoric-contributed-charlie-kirk-assassination-poll