Chris Pratt Faces Backlash After Prayer Post for Charlie Kirk

Lead Hollywood actor Chris Pratt sparked controversy on social media on September 11 after he posted a prayer for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot at a Utah university event the day before, prompting sharp criticism online.

Nut Graf Pratt’s succinct message-“Praying for Charlie Kirk right now, for his wife and young children, for our country. We need God’s grace. God help us.”-has gone viral, reigniting debates over celebrity political statements and the polarized response to Kirk’s death at Utah Valley University on September 10.

Main Part

Subheading: Background of the Shooting Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was attending his “American Comeback Tour” at Utah Valley University in Orem when he was shot in the neck by an unknown assailant on September 10. Despite rapid medical response, Kirk was pronounced dead at age 31, and a manhunt for the shooter remains active.

Subheading: Pratt’s Post and Immediate Reactions

  • Pratt’s prayer post on X (formerly Twitter) was intended as a gesture of compassion.
  • Some users praised his sentiment, while others accused him of aligning with far-right politics.
  • Comments ranged from calling him “irritating” to accusing the “left” of attempting to “cancel” him for expressing faith.

Subheading: Examples of Online Backlash

  • “Chris Pratt is tweeting his support for Charlie Kirk while Mark Ruffalo tweets links to support Palestine,” one critic noted.
  • Another user wrote, “Can Chris Pratt actually just stop getting more and more irritating genuinely.”
  • A third commented, “The left is trying to cancel Chris Pratt because he prayed for Charlie Kirk. Unreal.”

Subheading: Pratt’s Political Connections Pratt has previously expressed support for political figures, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whom he praised for his character after attending family dinners together. His wife, Katherine Schwarzenegger, is a member of the Kennedy family, further highlighting Pratt’s ties to prominent political circles.

Subheading: Wider Conversation on Celebrity Commentary Pratt’s post comes amid broader scrutiny of celebrities who publicly respond to political violence. Observers note that high-profile figures risk both praise and vilification when addressing contentious events, illustrating the deep divisions over politics and free speech in today’s online discourse.

Sources

  • Hindustan Times: “Charlie Kirk shooting update: Why Chris Pratt is facing sudden backlash on social media” (2025-09-11)