Hawk Tuah Girl Haley Welch Reemerges Online To Address Charlie Kirk Shooting

Haley Welch, the viral sensation better known as the “Hawk Tuah Girl," has reemerged online after months of silence, speaking out about the shocking assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot on Wednesday during a Q&A at Utah Valley University in what authorities have described as a “targeted attack.” The killing sparked nationwide outrage, with political leaders from both parties condemning the violence. But while tributes poured in for Kirk, social media also erupted with divisive and, in some cases, celebratory reactions, something Haley Welch says pushed her to speak up.

In a candid video posted to social media, Welch made it clear she wasn’t interested in sugarcoating her thoughts.

“At the end of the day, I really don't care if you like what I have to say or not,” she began. “Over the last few days, I've seen some of the most outrageous and heinous things that you could possibly see on this app. For some people to get on this app and applaud for another human being being unalived, in front of his family? That is f-cking sick. You're a sick f-cking individual.”

Welch stressed that people didn’t need to agree with Kirk’s politics to show basic humanity. “You didn't have to agree with anything that man said, not a single thing he said, preached, practiced, anything,” she said. “But you should have a little bit of sympathy for his wife and his kids that were there with him… Just be f-cking respectful.”

Welch’s passionate plea for compassion comes as outrage brews over how some have reacted to Kirk’s assassination. According to an NPR analysis, more than 30 people across the U.S. have already been fired, placed on leave, investigated, or faced public calls to resign after posting comments online that either mocked Kirk or celebrated his death.

The backlash is being amplified by conservative activists who are actively tracking and exposing individuals accused of “cheering” the shooting. An anonymously run website titled Expose Charlie’s Murderers has begun publishing screenshots of posts alongside the names, workplaces, and personal details of those behind them.

The TikTok star, who shot to fame after her now-infamous street interview clip went viral, used the moment to deliver a bigger message about unity.

“What you people don't realize, we are more alike than we are different. We all bleed the same f-cking color at the end of the day. And that's one of the biggest problems with this f-cking country right now. Y'all want to divide so bad. Why? This is supposed to be a time where all of us come together and try to make this country so much better than it is,” she said.

She added, “It’s not gonna get any better unless we do that. If this past week hasn't opened some of y’all’s eyes, man, we live in a mean and an evil a-- world.”

In her emotional video, Welch also turned her attention to another tragedy making headlines. The fatal stabbing of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee who had been living in a bomb shelter before relocating to the U.S.

Zarutska was killed on Charlotte’s Lynx Blue Line late last month while on her way home from work. Authorities say the suspect, 34-year-old Decarlos Brown Jr., is now facing federal charges that could make him eligible for the death penalty.

For Welch, Zarutska’s story underscored the urgency of protecting women in everyday spaces. “A woman should be allowed to go anywhere she wants to by herself and should not have to fear for her life,” she said. “That’s another thing that really upsets me.”

Haley ended her fiery video with a blunt call for compassion. “So let's stop being evil for just a second and let's pray for these families,” she urged. “And before you go, don't forget, let's start owning a little bit more compassion around here and being a hell of a lot nicer. And if you just can't seem to do that, then you have a f-cking day you deserve and the chickens will be coming home to roost for your a--.”

For Welch, the message was a simple one, sharing that grief and tragedy should never be met with celebration and the country desperately needs more empathy.