Overview
- On Couric’s podcast, the host questioned the Trump administration’s honors for Charlie Kirk, including flags at half-staff, transport on Air Force Two and talk of a Medal of Freedom, and Sen. John Fetterman said those decisions were up to them.
- Fetterman said he had not done a deep dive on Kirk’s views, condemned the assassination as appalling and called political violence unacceptable.
- The senator emphasized free-speech principles and said disagreement over ideas never justifies killing, noting people have the right to express views without being shot.
- White House Communications Director Steven Cheung attacked Couric on X, calling her a “washed up idiot” and “an absolute ghoul” and accusing her of trying to justify the killing.
- Context from recent coverage includes a New York Times correction on a misattributed antisemitic remark about Kirk, Couric’s statement that she no longer aims for impartiality when covering Trump and Fetterman’s earlier pledge to avoid demonizing opponents.