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Her comments did not stop there. Gantt went further, questioning why the legislature would recognize Kirk at all and using inflammatory language to describe him.
“We want to talk about exercising free speech. Let’s ball,” she said. “So, the First Amendment protects free speech.”
“We don’t need this day of remembrance for a man that was mediocre and racist. And I say mediocre at best. He was not a Floridian. He had no ties to Florida other than owning property.”
Gantt also argued that the state should instead honor individuals or groups who promote what she described as a less divisive approach to public debate.
“We have a number of Floridians, both individuals and organizations, that promote free speech that is not divisive like this individual was,” she continued.
The remarks quickly triggered condemnation from supporters of Kirk and from Turning Point USA itself.
Andrew Kolvet, a spokesman for the organization founded by Kirk, blasted the comments as offensive and dangerous in the current political climate.
“Democrats want to whitewash Charlie’s assassination as if it never happened, or they want to blame MAGA like Jimmy Kimmel, because to confront the truth is too painful for them,” Kolvet said.
He warned that dismissing political violence or minimizing it could encourage more attacks.
“The truth is that political violence and assassination culture has been normalized on the left because far too many of them condone it or outright endorse it. We utterly and totally condemn the ignorant, hateful comments from Florida State Rep. [Ashley] Viola Gantt. These types of statements will only contribute to more political violence. I hope that wasn’t her actual goal because I fear it will be the result.”
Other Democratic lawmakers echoed similar criticisms of Kirk during the debate.
Democratic state Rep. Bruce Antone also questioned why the activist deserved recognition from Florida lawmakers.
“I just don’t know why we are honoring somebody who had no accomplishments, who hadn’t done anything, and who denigrated people that look like me,” Antone said.
Democratic state Rep. Michele Rayner framed Kirk’s activism as harmful, arguing his rhetoric had alienated certain groups.
“As a black woman serving in this chamber, I cannot overlook the way (Kirk’s) rhetoric has targeted and dismissed Black women and other marginalized voices, including members yelling at other Black women on this floor,” Rayner said.
Republicans in the chamber pushed back strongly against those accusations, defending Kirk and warning that critics were repeating misleading claims about his record.
State Rep. Chase Tramont argued that many of the criticisms directed at Kirk were based on inaccurate or fabricated statements.
“I can go down a list of misquotes, some fabrications and outright distortions and lies that have been attributed to Charlie Kirk,” Tramont said.
“But the truth is, I don’t really think that would matter, because if we’re being truly honest here, this isn’t about a personality problem. It’s about what it’s always about: This is about ideological intolerance, because the same things that people have said about Charlie Kirk are the same things that people say about me and other members in our party,” he said.
Republican lawmakers also emphasized that Kirk was known for encouraging debate rather than suppressing opposing viewpoints.
State Rep. Dean Black noted that while many people disagreed with Kirk politically, he believed strongly in allowing others to express their views.
“While people may have disagreed with what he said, he made no attempt to cancel the words of others,” Black said.
Another Republican lawmaker, Rep. Yvette Benarroch, framed the legislation as a broader defense of free speech rather than simply a tribute to one individual.
“This bill recognizes that moment and affirms something foundational, that free speech under our Constitution must be protected, even when it is controversial, even when it is unpopular, and even when we disagree,” Benarroch said.
Despite the heated exchanges, the bill ultimately passed the Florida House with a solid Republican majority supporting it.
For supporters, the measure stands as recognition of Kirk’s role in mobilizing young conservatives and championing open political debate. For critics, the fight over the memorial reflects deeper ideological battles that continue to shape American politics.
But the tone of the debate, particularly the comments dismissing Kirk’s death, has left many observers asking whether political divisions in the country have reached a new and troubling level.
