Backlash and Remorse: Connor McCaffery Apologizes for Insensitive Post on Charlie Kirk’s Tragic Death..

Backlash and Remorse: Connor McCaffery Apologizes for Insensitive Post on Charlie Kirk’s Tragic Death..

In the wake of conservative firebrand Charlie Kirk’s shocking assassination on September 11, 2025, during a rally at Utah Valley University, the nation grappled with grief and division. The 31-year-old Turning Point USA founder, a vocal advocate for youth conservatism, was gunned down on stage, sending shockwaves through political circles. Tributes poured in from figures like Vice President JD Vance and WNBA stars, including Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, who called for a “nationwide moment of silence” on social media.

But amid the mourning, a darker undercurrent emerged: online celebrations of Kirk’s demise by some left-leaning users, sparking firings, FCC probes, and public outrage. Enter Connor McCaffery, the 27-year-old Butler Bulldogs assistant coach and boyfriend of WNBA sensation Caitlin Clark. McCaffery, a former Iowa Hawkeyes standout and brother to NFL star Christian McCaffery, found himself at the center of a firestorm after a deleted X post surfaced.

Late Wednesday, hours after news broke, McCaffery allegedly tweeted: “One less fake news peddler. Good riddance to bad rubbish. #CharlieKirk.” The post, viewed over 50,000 times before vanishing, drew immediate backlash. Critics labeled it “heartless” and “unbecoming” of a public figure tied to Clark, the league’s golden girl whose wholesome image has boosted WNBA viewership by 200%. “Connor’s words dishonor a man with a family and a mission,” tweeted Kirk’s widow, Erika, who revealed the couple’s two young children were present at the rally.

The post’s timing amplified the hurt. Kirk, known for championing causes like school choice and anti-woke initiatives, had praised Clark in a June podcast, calling her “the future of American grit” amid WNBA referee controversies. Clark, sidelined by a season-ending ankle injury during the Fever’s playoff push, had reposted Kirk’s supportive clip just weeks prior, writing, “Appreciate voices like this lifting us up.”

By Thursday morning, McCaffery issued a public apology on Instagram, his face etched with regret beside a black-and-white photo of Kirk. “I let anger cloud my judgment last night,” the 6’5″ coach wrote. “Charlie Kirk was a father, husband, and patriot whose life was stolen in an act of pure evil. My words were nasty, wrong, and hurtful to his family and fans. No one deserves this tragedy. I’m deeply sorry—to Erika, their kids, Caitlin, and everyone affected. I’ll be donating anonymously to Turning Point USA in Charlie’s honor and stepping back from social media to reflect. Hate has no place in sports or society.”

Clark, 23, broke her silence in a Fever practice clip, her voice steady: “Connor owns his mistake. We’re human, we mess up. But Charlie’s legacy of empowering young people? That’s what endures.” Sources close to the couple say Clark urged the apology, drawing from her own experiences with online trolls.

The incident highlights the polarized digital age, where athletes like McCaffery—whose brother Christian faced similar scrutiny over political tweets—navigate fame’s minefield. As investigations into Kirk’s alleged shooter, a 22-year-old anti-fascist activist, continue, McCaffery’s remorse offers a sliver of unity. “Apologies don’t erase pain,” said WNBA vet Sophie Cunningham, who penned a viral prayer for Kirk. “But they start healing.”

Fever fans, rallying behind Clark’s squad in their playoff semis against the Sun, chanted “We forgive” at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. McCaffery, absent from the bench, reportedly attended a private memorial. In a league thriving on Clark’s star power, this chapter underscores: Even heroes’ loved ones falter—but grace can rebound.