The brewing MAGA civil war over Charlie Kirk's death befuddled a pair of analysts on Thursday.
Sam Stein, managing editor at The Bulwark, and Will Sommer, a senior reporter at the outlet, discussed the impact of Kirk's death on the MAGA movement on a new YouTube video. Their comments come at a time of intense debate about the circumstances leading up to Kirk's death and whether the alleged killer was politically motivated.
Sommer said in the video that the brewing civil war within MAGA is developing over the definition of Kirk's legacy. MAGA figureheads like Candace Owens have cast Kirk's death as an example of Israel's power over the U.S. government, arguing that Kirk was killed because he spoke out against the Middle East ally.
Owens' theory seems to have split the MAGA base, Sommer said, with people like Tucker Carlson backing Owens over more traditional conservatives denying the theory, like investor Bill Ackman.
"Just to be clear to everyone, there is absolutely no evidence whatsoever at all that Israel is involved, related to, or tied to in any way Tyler Robinson," Sommer said. "It's just wackery. Let's just call it what it is."
Sommer added that some people in MAGA appear to be using Kirk's death to fuel their "personal ambitions."
"Charlie Kirk's legacy is a very valuable thing and, in particular, the political capital that can be gained from it and the money and the donors," Sommer said.