Despite the wave of hate comments, Keech doubled down, calling the negativity “evil,” urging followers to “find the Lord,” and telling critics to simply unfollow if they disagreed.

The assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk last week has sent shockwaves through the political and cultural landscape. But for one prominent social media star, her public grief over his death turned into an online battlefield.

Daisy Keech Yerger, the 26-year-old fitness influencer with more than 5.1 million Instagram followers and co-founder of TikTok’s famed Hype House, found herself under intense fire after she shared tributes to Kirk, calling his killing “so unfair” and asking fans to pray for his family.

Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA, was gunned down on Wednesday, September 10, during a “Prove Me Wrong” debate at Utah Valley University.

His shocking death, witnessed by a live audience, has been the subject of national mourning among conservatives and intense debate across the political spectrum.

For Keech, who rose to fame for her fitness content and bubbly persona, publicly posting about the tragedy quickly turned into one of the most divisive moves of her career.

On Friday, Keech reposted a video of Kirk embracing his young daughter, writing in the caption: “At such a loss for words. So unfair that such an amazing man has been taken out like this. It breaks my heart.

Thank you Charlie for everything you’ve done for the youth of our country. So much love and sympathy to his family. Please pray for them.”

The comment section of her post, however, was quickly flooded with hate. Many fans who had followed Keech for years expressed outrage that she would publicly mourn Kirk, a polarizing figure often accused by critics of stoking division.

“You lost me with that bulls–t, very out of touch w reality,” one follower wrote. Another scolded her for what they saw as “selective empathy,” pointing out that Keech had remained silent during other high-profile tragedies.

“Never spoke about Gaza, ICE, any POC injustices, yeah idgaf [what] you have to say — that hateful man is looking up at us,” one user snapped.

Others accused her of hypocrisy for suddenly invoking religion. “Girl please miss with the nonsense talking about Jesus. You never made one post talking about God. Now you want to talk about him. Girl bye,” another detractor commented.

Keech did not back down. Instead, she doubled down with a follow-up post that only intensified the conversation. Sharing a photo of her dog with an overlay message, she wrote: “I never speak on politics because of all the division it creates, but all this evil makes me sick.

If you are rejoicing in the death of a father and husband, I pray for your soul. Don’t let these demons make you forget what really matters here. I encourage you to find the Lord, He will save you. He loves you all.”

She went on to tell critics that if they disagreed with her views, they were free to leave. “If you disagree or are shocked by my beliefs, that is okay. There doesn’t need to be any hate, just unfollow. I encourage you all to contribute good into the world.”

While some fans abandoned Keech, many others — especially Kirk’s supporters — flocked to her page in support.

Her Instagram and TikTok follower counts held steady, suggesting that the loss of critics was offset by a wave of new engagement. “Thank you Daisy for speaking the truth when so many are afraid to,” one supporter commented. “Charlie would have been grateful.”

Keech’s involvement in the controversy highlights how public figures, even those outside of politics, can become lightning rods when they voice opinions in a polarized climate.

Best known for helping launch the Hype House in 2019 alongside Charli D’Amelio and Addison Rae, Keech was one of the first influencers to bridge fitness and mainstream internet celebrity.

Her brand has typically steered clear of politics, focusing instead on workout content, lifestyle posts, and aspirational aesthetics. But her comments on Kirk’s death revealed the risks influencers face when they cross into contentious territory.

The firestorm around Keech comes as other individuals have faced consequences for reacting to Kirk’s death. In recent days, a New Jersey nurse claimed she was suspended without pay after confronting a doctor who allegedly “cheered” the assassination.

An Ohio judge connected to NFL star Joe Burrow’s charity foundation also faced backlash after making flippant remarks.

Social media platforms have been flooded with both tributes and vitriol, underscoring the bitter divides surrounding Kirk’s legacy.

For Keech, the experience appears to have deepened her resolve. Friends of the influencer describe her as someone who has recently embraced faith more openly in her personal life, even if it rarely appeared on her public platforms before.

Her decision to invoke God in her posts, though controversial to some, was consistent with the tone of many conservative tributes to Kirk.

Whether this moment marks a turning point in Keech’s career remains to be seen. In the world of influencing, aligning with politics can be risky but also galvanizing.

For every critic who left angry comments, there were new fans who discovered her for the first time because of her willingness to speak up. “This is the kind of courage we need from people with big platforms,” one user wrote on X.

Charlie Kirk’s assassination has already proven to be one of the most politically charged tragedies in recent memory, sparking debates not only about security and political violence but also about how public figures should respond.

Keech, unintentionally, has become part of that national conversation.

As she continues to post her regular content, the shadow of this moment lingers. Will she pivot toward more openly sharing her beliefs, or retreat back into the fitness-focused persona that first made her famous?

Whatever happens, her decision to publicly mourn Kirk and face the torrent of backlash has placed her squarely at the intersection of social media, politics, and grief — a place that few influencers ever intend to be, but where many eventually find themselves in today’s divided America.