Netflix Denies Mocking Charlie Kirk's Assassination After 'Neck Injury' Post on Anniversary of His Death

Netflix has denied that a joke posted by its UK and Ireland account mocked the killing of Charlie Kirk. Kirk, an American conservative activist, died after someone shot him in the neck on 10 September 2025. One year later, on 10 September 2026, the account posted on X: 'Nearly did himself a neck injury'. Fellow conservatives called for a boycott within hours.

The post featured two stills from The Gentlemen, a British crime drama created by Guy Ritchie. In the scene, the main character turns around during his wedding to watch another woman leave the church. Netflix told Fox News Digital that the caption referred to that scene. The company called suggestions that the post related to real events 'inaccurate and ludicrous'.

The controversy centres on the timing. Neither image shows violence, and the season had been available to stream for seven days. However, critics, including radio host Jason Rantz, questioned whether the date and the reference to a 'neck injury' were simply a coincidence.

What the Netflix Post Showed

Netflix UK & Ireland is the streamer's account for viewers in Britain and Ireland. In the new season, Theo James plays Eddie Horniman, a duke who runs a criminal empire. He marries Bella, an Italian countess played by Benedetta Porcaroli. During the ceremony, Eddie turns to watch Kaya Scodelario's character, Susie Glass, walk out, as the post below shows.

All eight episodes of the second Gentlemen series arrived on 3 September, a week before the caption appeared. By Friday, the post had more than 28 million views, according to its own view counter. Netflix has defended the caption instead of deleting the post.

The joke is a familiar one about a man turning so quickly to look at a woman that he nearly hurts himself. In this case, the woman is not the bride. Susie is Eddie's business partner, and the show hints that the two may be attracted to each other.

Why Critics Linked the Post to Charlie Kirk

Kirk, who co-founded the conservative student group Turning Point USA, was 31 when someone shot him at an outdoor debate on the Orem campus of Utah Valley University on 10 September 2025. Utah Governor Spencer Cox called the killing a political assassination. On Thursday, Cox declared 10 September Charlie Kirk Day in Utah, while Turning Point USA returned to the campus that evening for a memorial.

Jason Rantz, a radio host, wrote: 'Seems hard to believe this is a coincidence.' Conservative commentator Matt Walsh argued that jokes about neck injuries had become a meme among some people on the left. Walsh said the timing seemed too perfect to be a coincidence. Neither post offered evidence beyond the date and the wording of the jokes.

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani called for a boycott, telling his followers: 'Cancel your Netflix subscription.' Libs of TikTok, a conservative account, said it had already cancelled its subscription. Other users shared the emails Netflix sends when someone cancels. Netflix does not release daily membership figures, so nobody knows how many accounts have actually closed.

Kirk's supporters had already taken notice of jokes about his death. In May, comedian Pete Davidson made a crude joke about Kirk's death in the Netflix special The Roast of Kevin Hart. Andrew Kolvet, a spokesman for Turning Point USA, condemned the joke. This week, a tattoo artist in Portland advertised neck tattoos to mark one year since Kirk's death.

What Netflix Said About the Charlie Kirk Claims

Netflix's statement runs to two sentences. The first says the caption refers directly to a storyline in what the company calls its UK series. The second denies any connection to real events, but Netflix apologises in neither sentence.

Netflix bases its defence on the scene itself, which shows a groom turning to watch another woman leave. Critics, however, point to the date when Netflix posted the caption. Only the person who wrote and approved the caption knows which interpretation is correct, while Netflix's statement does not identify either person or say who scheduled the post.