Third Charlie Kirk Memorial Billboard Vandalized in Asheville: A Disturbing Escalation in Political Hatred

Asheville, NC – October 29, 2025 – In a chilling act of escalating political violence, a third billboard honoring the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk was defaced overnight along New Leicester Highway. Local business owner Mason Burchette, who captured and shared images of the vandalism on social media, described the scene as "gut-wrenching" and "a blatant call to assassinate a man who dedicated his life to freedom and faith."

The billboard, one of several tributes erected in the wake of Kirk's assassination on September 10, 2025, at Utah State University, featured a poignant quote attributed to early Christian martyr Tertullian: "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church." This phrase, often invoked in Kirk's memory to symbolize how his death has galvanized conservative and Christian movements, was marred by graphic, hand-drawn illustrations depicting Kirk's shooting in explicit detail—complete with blood splatters and flames engulfing his likeness. Accompanying scrawls included phrases like "Smash fascism, fight back" and crude threats echoing the real-life attack that claimed his life.

Burchette, a Knoxville-based entrepreneur whose company, True Metal Supply, sponsored the billboards as a show of solidarity with Turning Point USA (the organization Kirk co-founded), posted photos to X (formerly Twitter) early this morning. "This isn't just vandalism—it's a threat, a celebration of murder," he wrote. His post, viewed over 266,000 times within hours, has ignited a firestorm of outrage, with thousands of replies condemning the act as a hate crime while others mock it as "street art" or "poetic justice."

A Pattern of Defiance in a Divided City

This marks the third such incident targeting Kirk memorials in Asheville, a progressive enclave in the heart of liberal-leaning Buncombe County. The first two vandalisms, reported in mid-October, involved less violent graffiti—primarily anti-fascist slogans like "Smash fascism, stand up, fight back" sprayed in white paint over the billboards' messages. Those acts, which surfaced on social media before local verification, drew widespread condemnation from conservatives but also sparked debates on Reddit's r/asheville subreddit, where users lamented the "inevitable" backlash in a city known for its activist undercurrents.

Asheville Police Department (APD) confirmed they are treating this latest defacement as criminal mischief, a misdemeanor under North Carolina law that carries penalties of up to 120 days in jail and fines. However, the inclusion of graphic assassination imagery has prompted discussions of elevating charges to communicating threats, a felony. "We're reviewing surveillance footage and witness statements," APD spokesperson Lt. Kara Orr said in a brief statement. "Acts like this undermine our community's values of respect and dialogue, no matter the political disagreement."

No arrests have been made, but the timing—mere weeks after Kirk's death—has amplified fears of copycat violence. Kirk, 31 at the time of his shooting, was a polarizing figure: hailed by supporters as a defender of Christian values, free speech, and American exceptionalism, he was reviled by critics for inflammatory rhetoric on topics like immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, and election integrity. His assassin, a 22-year-old former student radicalized online, cited Kirk's "hate speech" as motivation in a manifesto. In death, Kirk's legacy has only intensified, with Turning Point USA reporting a surge in donations and volunteer sign-ups.

Online Backlash: From Mourning to Mockery

The vandalism has cleaved digital spaces along ideological lines. On X, conservative influencers like Matt Van Swol, a former nuclear scientist and Kirk admirer, posted emotionally: "This has completely broken me... I don't know where we go from here." His thread garnered nearly 8,000 likes and over 1,300 reposts, with users decrying it as "Satanic" and a sign of "leftist evil." One reply framed it biblically: "They hate everything Kirk stood for—Godly principles. This is self-justifying hatred."

Conversely, leftist corners of the internet, including Asheville's Reddit communities, have erupted in schadenfreude. A post on r/asheville titled "Charlie Kirk billboard update" racked up thousands of upvotes, with comments ranging from "Took trash and turned it into art" to "Imagine putting this up in Asheville of all places—begging for it." Some users defended the act as resistance against "white supremacy dog whistles," referencing the martyr quote's alleged ties to far-right symbolism. Others, however, drew a line: "Vandalism isn't cool, but Kirk sowed discord his whole life."

This divide mirrors broader national fractures. Kirk's death has become a rallying cry for the right, with his widow, Erika, vowing to expand Turning Point USA's campus outreach. "Charlie's blood is seeding a revival," she said in a recent interview. Yet in cities like Asheville—home to a vibrant arts scene and progressive activism—the tributes have been flashpoints, underscoring how grief and grudge can fuel public spectacles of rage.

Broader Implications: When Memorials Become Battlegrounds

As investigations continue, this incident raises uncomfortable questions about the weaponization of public space in polarized times. Billboards, meant for commerce or commemoration, are increasingly canvases for ideological warfare—from Confederate monuments toppled in 2020 to pro-Palestine murals defaced amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. In Asheville, where tourism dollars flow from its "San Francisco of the South" vibe, such unrest risks alienating visitors and deepening local rifts.

Burchette, undeterred, hinted at plans for more tributes: "If they think flames will scare us, they're wrong. We'll rebuild brighter." For now, the flames—literal and figurative—serve as a stark reminder: In America's culture wars, even the dead aren't safe from desecration.

This article draws on eyewitness accounts, social media documentation, and official statements. Updates will follow as the APD investigation progresses.