Erin Napier Claps Back at Fans Over Charlie Kirk Death Reaction

One of HGTV’s most popular faces found herself in the middle of a social media firestorm after facing backlash for comments about the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Hours after Kirk was fatally shot in Utah on Wednesday, Home Town star Erin Napier took to her Instagram Story, sharing a brief but pointed message that immediately divided followers.

‘Only the demonized celebrate death,’ Napier wrote.

The 40 -year-old interior designer — who, alongside her husband Ben, has built a small-town renovation empire in Mississippi — quickly followed up with a fiery post addressing the hostile responses she had received.

‘I am revolted by some of the comments in my DMs,’ she wrote. ‘Unfollow me, immediately, if you could be one of those comments. Christ, have mercy on us all.’

The drama didn’t end there. 

On Friday, Napier went further, posting screenshots of specific messages from followers who were outraged by her stance.

One follower threatened to toss Napier’s products, unfollow her across all platforms, and stop watching her hit show Home Town. 

Napier’s blunt caption: ‘Because I will not celebrate murder.’

Another message came from someone identifying as a psychiatrist, who accused her of supporting Kirk. 

‘Really Erin? You are home schooling your precious children in LAUREL, MS (of all places) to prevent something like this from happening to them,’ the user wrote. 

‘This guy was ALL FOR IT. He died for what he believed in. God have mercy on his soul because I do not.’

The same follower quoted Kirk’s words after the 2023 Nashville school shooting, where he defended gun deaths as ‘a prudent deal’ for Second Amendment rights.

Erin fired back without holding back: ‘You know nothing about why I am homeschooling my children, you sick goblin.’

Another critic simply told Napier, ‘Thanks for making an unfollow easy peasy. 

Napier’s response was consistent: ‘Because I will not celebrate murder.’

Kirk, 31, was killed during an outdoor debate at Utah Valley University on September 10. 

He is survived by his wife Erika and their two young children: a three-year-old daughter and a one-year-old son. 

By Friday morning, former President Trump confirmed that 22-year-old Tyler Robinson had been arrested on suspicion of aggravated murder, obstruction of justice, and other charges.

Napier’s online clash comes just as Kirk’s widow, Erika, publicly addressed the tragedy for the first time. 

In a video released through Turning Point USA, she shared heartfelt words about her late husband:

‘Charlie loved, loved life,’ she said. ‘He loved his children, and he loved me with all of his heart. He made sure I knew that every day. He was the perfect father. He was the perfect husband.’

Erin and Ben Napier have become prominent figures in the home renovation television landscape through their HGTV series Home Town, which premiered in 2016. 

The Napiers’ influence extends beyond Home Town, with the success of their spin-off series Home Town Takeover further solidifying their position in the industry. 

The franchise’s expansion includes additional projects like Home Town: Ben’s Workshop and Home Town Kickstart.

The war of words also comes after Jurassic World star Chris Pratt took to social media to offer thoughts on the assassination.

The actor shared on X: ‘Praying for Charlie Kirk right now, for his wife and young children, for our country. We need God’s grace. God help us.’ 

Pratt’s wife Katherine Schwarzenegger also responded to the shooting by reposting a tweet from her mother Maria Shriver. 

The post read: ‘This is a violent act of hate that we all must denounce, all of us, regardless of party. This is reprehensible, horrendous violence that affects each and every one of us.’  

This Is Us star Mandy Moore also took to her Instagram stories to share a message posted by Momsdemandaction.org which read: ‘Gun violence doesn’t care about ideology.’ 

The actress offered her own caption as well, writing: ‘There is no room for political violence in this discourse. Ever.

‘You can disagree with someone’s beliefs but this is a terrifying consequence of the world we’re living in and it’s a cancer.’ 

Moore concluded: ‘I can’t stop thinking about Charlie Kirk’s wife and their small kids. My heart is with them and all who loved him.’ 

She later shared a second post that noted a school shooting occurred around the same time that Kirk was killed. 

‘Bullets don’t know and don’t care if you are a Republican or Democrat,’ the original poster wrote, adding that it was ‘time for Republicans and Democrats to find a way to work together to reduce gun violence’.

Sarah Palin’s daughter Bristol reposted a statement shared by Turning Point USA – which was co-founded by Kirk. 

‘It is with heavy heart that we confirm that Charles James Kirk has been murdered by a gunshot that took place during Turning Point USA’s “The American Comeback Tour” campus event at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025. 

‘May he be received into the merciful arms of our loving Savior, who suffered and died for Charlie.’ 

The message concluded with: ‘We ask the everyone keep his family and loved ones in your prayers. We ask that you please respect their privacy and dignity at this time.’ 

Candace Cameron Bure shared a photo of Kirk to her main Instagram page as well as the message: ‘We love you Charlie. Well done good and faithful servant.’ 

Jake Paul took to X and wrote: ‘Charlie Kirk got shot for telling the truth. That is literally it. 

‘What a mentally sick time we are living through. We need god more than ever. Praying for Charlie’s family and praying for these evil people to heal.’ 

Danica Patrick shared a post from Upward News to her Instagram Stories which announced Kirk’s death. 

In text added towards the top, the former pro race car driver wrote: ‘I can’t believe it. What is wrong with people? 

‘We have an epidemic of mental illness. Praying so much for his family and everyone that knows him and loves him.’ 

Arnold Schwarzenegger also took to X to share a message to his followers and penned: ‘My heart is with Charlie Kirk’s family, and with the United States.’ 

The former governor of California continued: ‘Politics has become a disease in this country, and it’s deadly. But don’t listen to the pessimists who say there is no cure.

‘There is a cure. It is inside of us. We must find our better angels and walk back from the extremes. If we can’t agree on anything else, we must find agreement that we don’t solve our debates with violence.

‘This is a horrible tragedy. May it also be a moment for everyone to rediscover their humanity.’ 

Rosie O’Donnell shared a picture of Kirk to her Instagram page as well as the caption: ‘no just no – do not become the murderer – this is wrong on every level – #werallamericans.’ 

Dr. Phil uploaded a video to his X account where he shared the news of Kirk’s death and wrote: ‘Charlie Kirk, husband, father, friend, American, has been assassinated. 

‘His spirit, passion and message will live on. Prayers for his soul and his wife and children.’ 

Jimmy Kimmel also took to Instagram and shared the message to his main page: ‘Instead of the angry finger-pointing, can we just for one day agree that is is horrible and monstrous to shoot another human?’ 

The late night talk show host continued: ‘On behalf of my family, we send love to the Kirks and to all the children, parents and innocents who fall victim to senseless gun violence.’

Stephen King tweeted on X: ‘The motivation of the man who shot Charlie Kirk isn’t clear (although he’s probably mentally unstable — duh). What is clear is it was another example of American gun violence.’  

Roseanne Barr jumped to X and simply penned, ‘Devastated,’ followed by another tweet which read: ‘Ignore the demons. Especially online. They want you angry and traumatized. Band together in love for Charlie.’ 

Real Housewives Of Atlanta alumna Kim Zolciak shared a video of Kirk with his daughter on her Instagram Stories and added the text: ‘Absolutely heartbreaking.’ 

Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Jennifer Affleck shared a photo of Kirk with his family, captioning it: ‘Came home to the most heartbreaking news. Sending all my love and prayers to his wife and babies.’ 

Clayton Echard, star of season 26 of The Bachelor, shared a lengthy message honoring Kirk in his Instagram Stories. He praised Kirk for how friendly he was during an appearance on his podcast a year earlier.

‘This has not sat right with me all day. I met Charlie a year ago when he had me on his live podcast to discuss the paternity scandal that I was facing,’ Echard wrote. ‘He provided me with a platform to seek justice when hardly anyone else mainstream would.   

‘What really stood out to me was how in-between commercial breaks, he would immediately turn to me and ask me questions about myself. He genuinely was trying to get to know me, and came across as just a normal guy that wanted to help however he could.’

‘That’s the Charlie I met. The one that smiled widely when he spoke of his family and the one that acknowledged everyone in the room when he walked in,’ Echard continued. ‘Many famous people won’t do that, as I’ve seen. It takes a certain type of humility to do so. May he rest in peace.’

President Donald Trump also responded to the death of Charlie Kirk with a post on Truth Social. 

‘The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie.

‘He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!’

The American flag at the White House has been lowered half-staff in memory of Kirk and will remain so until sunset on September 14. 

FBI director Kash Patel initially shared that a ‘suspect’ of the ‘horrific shooting today that took the life of Charlie Kirk is now in custody. 

‘Thank you to the local and state authorities in Utah for your partnership with @fbi. We will provide updates when able.’

Patel later followed up with a separate post to reveal that the person of interest was released.

‘The subject in custody has been released after an interrogation by law enforcement. Our investigation continues and we will continue to release information in interest of transparency.’