Tattoo Artist Blasted for $50 'Kirkiversary' Neck Tattoos With 'Exact Placement' on His Death Anniversary

A tattoo artist has drawn heavy online criticism after advertising $50 (£36.94) 'Kirkiversary' neck tattoos for 10 September, the first anniversary of Charlie Kirk's death.

The promotion referenced what the artist called the 'exact placement' where the conservative activist was shot, prompting critics to accuse her of using the anniversary to make light of his killing.

The promotion appeared on Instagram under the account 'blacksctratcher' and offered customers a choice of neck tattoo designs as long as they were placed in the specified location.

The post described the offer as a 'One year After Kirk CELEBRATION' and invited people to book custom flash tattoos.

Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA, was shot in the neck and killed on 10 September 2025 while speaking at Utah Valley University during his American Comeback Tour.

The timing and wording of the advertisement quickly made it a target for political criticism online. However, available reporting does not independently establish what the artist intended the promotion to signify beyond the language used in the advertisement.

'Kirkiversary' Promotion Under Fire

The promotion was amplified by Libs of TikTok, which accused the artist of using the anniversary to 'celebrate his assassination'. The post subsequently received hundreds of thousands of views, bringing attention to the tattoo artist's Instagram account.

The response was sharply divided. Some commenters described the promotion as offensive and inappropriate because it referred to the place where Kirk was fatally shot. Others focused less on the anniversary itself and more on the artist's decision to offer a visible neck tattoo connected to such a politically charged event.

Several comments suggested that anyone choosing one of the tattoos would be making a conspicuous political statement. Others argued that the artist was entitled to express an unpopular or provocative view, even if they found the promotion distasteful.

The backlash also included personal attacks against the artist, illustrating how quickly the dispute moved beyond the advertisement itself.

The Instagram account was later set to private.

Before that happened, the account responded to the criticism with an Instagram story that appeared to address the political backlash. The post included the statement, 'I am NEET nothing u do can hurt me repubtards', accompanied by a devil emoji.

It continued, 'Stop imposing on my freedom of speech NOW.'

The comments did not directly explain whether the tattoo promotion was meant to commemorate Kirk's death, mock it or simply provoke a reaction. That distinction remains important because available reporting does not independently establish the artist's motive.

Charlie Kirk Shooting Anniversary

Kirk's death has remained a highly political subject in the year since he was killed. The Turning Point USA founder was addressing a crowd at Utah Valley University when he was shot in the neck during an appearance on his American Comeback Tour.

The tattoo promotion specifically referenced that location on the body. In the advertisement, the artist described the placement as the 'exact placement of the kirkhole', using her own term for the area where Kirk was shot.

That wording is the clearest factual basis for the criticism surrounding the promotion. It does not, by itself, establish that the artist was celebrating the killing or endorsing it.

The account's Instagram bio identified the artist as operating in Portland and invited prospective customers to send direct messages to book appointments. The bio also stated 'BBP certified', although available reporting does not independently establish what the designation referred to.

Turning Point USA did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The controversy arrives as the first anniversary of Kirk's death brings new attention to his political legacy and the circumstances of his killing. For his supporters, the tattoo advertisement was seen as an offensive reference to a place associated with his final moments.