Liberal commentator Krystal Ball faced backlash after making a controversial remark about Tyler Robinson, the accused assassin of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, as reported [1] by The New York Post.
On her YouTube program Breaking Points over the weekend, Ball compared Robinson’s appearance to that of another high-profile murder suspect, Luigi Mangione, who is accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
During the segment, guest Emily Jashinsky discussed the trend of criminals developing cult followings after being charged with violent crimes.
“You end up with a Charles Manson cult around someone, a cult following where people are obsessed and get fixated on someone in prison,” Jashinsky said.
She added that Mangione had drawn attention after proclaiming his innocence, warning of similar risks if public fascination grows around Robinson.
Ball then joked, “Well, he’s not as good-looking as Mangione so he’ll be less inspirational to people.” Jashinsky dropped her head into her hands as Ball pressed, “Tell me I’m wrong!”
The comments sparked outrage online. Jashinsky later defended Ball on X, writing:
“We were! But what the clip leaves out is that I was arguing it’s GOOD the FBI, as of Friday, was getting us quick answers so that a Luigi-style cult of personality doesn’t develop around this freak, who @krystalball was rightfully calling ugly because he is. Joke was on him, 100%.”
We were! But what the clip leaves out is that I was arguing it’s GOOD the FBI, as of Friday, was getting us quick answers so that a Luigi-style cult of personality doesn’t develop around this freak, who @krystalball [2] was rightfully calling ugly because he is. Joke was on him, 100% https://t.co/mPE7xRIP6R [3]
— Emily Jashinsky (@emilyjashinsky) September 15, 2025 [4]
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani criticized Ball’s remarks, saying:
“My team respects you, but why did you laugh at her callous, cruel statement? Krystal’s facial expression as she said it is what is particularly concerning to us. It’s disgusting and vile. Where is her humanity?”
Jashinsky replied, “Because it was a joke about a monster being hideous, which he is — inside and out.”
My team respects you, but why did you laugh at her callous, cruel statement?
Krystal’s facial expression as she said it is what is particularly concerning to us. It’s disgusting and vile. Where is her humanity?
— Rudy W. Giuliani (@RudyGiuliani) September 15, 2025 [5]
Robinson, 22, has been accused of harboring a fixation on Kirk and allegedly vowed to “take out” the conservative activist because he “hated” his views. The FBI said Robinson bragged about having the “perfect murder plan.” He is expected to face capital murder charges in Utah.
Mangione, 27, allegedly shot and killed Thompson, 50, in Midtown Manhattan on December 4, 2024. Investigators say he wrote in a manifesto that insurance companies “literally extract human life force for money.”
Mangione has pleaded not guilty to both state and federal charges and is due back in a New York courtroom Tuesday.
Both Robinson and Mangione are scheduled to appear in court this week.
The NYPD’s counterterrorism and intelligence bureau issued a security assessment Monday, warning of continued threats to political, business, and civic leaders. The report cautioned that the killing of Kirk could inspire further violence.
“The targeted attack occurred against the backdrop of an increasingly volatile threat environment in the US amid ongoing concerns over the targeting of and violent threats persistently aimed at prominent political figures, CEOs, public officials, and other dignitaries,” the NYPD assessment stated.
The document also warned that Kirk’s assassination could be amplified in extremist propaganda and exploited by foreign adversaries to deepen division in the United States.