A former ESPN host has revealed the disturbing messages she has received for her comments about the murder of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
Last week, the ring-wing political activist was fatally shot while talking about mass shootings and gun violence at a Utah Valley University, in Orem.
He was debating with students as part of a "American Comeback tour' event for his nonprofit student conservative organisation Turning Point USA.
Tyler Robinson, 22, has been charged with Kirk's murder, while the 31-year-old, a close ally of Donald Trump, is to be honoured with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
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Reacting to the news, Ponders said, "I feel changed by this" and "I mourn for Charlie's family".
She also added that she was filled with "renewed hope" that people "will find the courage to lovingly speak the truth boldly in the public square, as he often did".
The comments made by the ex reporter on Thursday received plenty of backlash, however, with Ponder claiming she was inundated with direct messages that surpassed anything she ever received.
Ponder speaks out on messages received
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Sending out a strong message, she stated: "My DMs are more disturbing than ever (and trust me, that’s sayin something). Apparently only perfect people can be mourned when they’re murdered in their 30s with a wife and young children.
"When a man is shot, debating opinions with anyone for all to see, he must align with our chosen dogma perfectly. If not, he had it coming/shouldn’t have said those mean things, so you should shut up about it.
"How can we see someone post about sadness over the death of ANYONE they cared about, even someone we think was flawed, and say 'Stop being sad about them. I didn’t like their opinions.'
"Mourn with those who mourn. If I ever see hypocrisy, let me see it in myself. God forbid every word we’ve ever spoken be the prerequisite for sympathy when we die."
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Simone Johnson, daughter of WWE legend The Rock, was criticised for a social media post taken as a comment about Kirk and the controversial views he expressed.
Quoting a post from New York comedian Gianmarco Soresi after he said, "If you want people to have kind words when you pass, you should say kind words when you’re alive" - she added, "And i’ll stand behind this. Be kind, now more than ever".
Meanwhile, speaking on an episode of the IMPAULSIVE podcast, UFC president White said he was "f*****g blown away" and "surprised" by the impact the assassination had on his family - with his 19-year-old daughter left "destroyed over this thing for the last couple of days".
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Kirk's funeral is set to take place at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday.
President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance are expected to speak at the service.
Topics: ESPN
Josh Lawless