The tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk has taken yet another bizarre turn after revelations that an online publication had commissioned a so-called “Etsy witch” to cast a hex on him just days before his death. The story — initially dismissed by many as satire — has now resurfaced as commentators grapple with the chilling timing between the ritual and Kirk’s killing.
A Campus Speech Turns Deadly
Kirk, the 31-year-old conservative activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot on September 11, 2025, during a speaking engagement at Utah Valley University.
The event, which was structured as a Q&A session with students, was focused on gun violence in America. Witnesses say Kirk had just finished answering a question about mass shootings when a single bullet struck him in the neck.
Panic broke out in the auditorium as students rushed to cover while first responders attempted to save Kirk’s life. He was transported to a local hospital but pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
The shooter, described as male and dressed entirely in black, fled the rooftop from where the fatal shot was fired. A nationwide manhunt remains underway.
The Jezebel Article
As news of Kirk’s death spread, attention turned to an article published by Jezebel on September 8 — just three days before the assassination. The article was provocatively titled: “We Paid Some Etsy Witches To Curse Charlie Kirk.”
The piece detailed how the outlet’s writer had purchased spells from practitioners advertising services on Etsy. The stated intent of the “hexes” was not to cause physical harm, but rather to bring minor misfortunes.
“I want him to wake up every morning with an inexplicable zit,” the writer quipped. “I want his podcast microphone to malfunction every time he hits record.”
The article framed the act as a tongue-in-cheek response to Kirk’s outspoken conservative rhetoric. However, after Kirk’s death, readers quickly resurfaced the piece, horrified at the timing. Jezebel has since removed the author’s byline and added an editor’s note condemning political violence.
The Etsy Witch Speaks
One of the witches hired for the Jezebel experiment — known as Priestess Lilin — has now spoken publicly. She operates the StrixSisters Etsy account along with a partner named Leamashtu.
In a statement provided to Metro, Priestess Lilin stressed that her personal practice is focused on benefic or “white magic” for healing and abundance. Her partner, however, is associated with malefic or “black magic” practices, which include curses and obsession spells.
Lilin’s statement read:
“A person’s life and death always has weight, and we do not celebrate the loss of life. With that said, throughout the witchcraft community many of us believe that spells, magic, and curses are very real and can bring about profound change in this world, whether it be through psychological or metaphysical means.”
She added that while they did not claim responsibility for Kirk’s assassination, they believed that their rituals carried influence:
“As sisters we have dealt and seen things we cannot explain. While we cannot claim literal responsibility for Mr. Kirk’s death, we do affirm that the magic we work with is effective. When you work that in alignment with the collective energy, it can manifest in unthinkable ways.”
The statement concluded with a carefully worded caveat: “We hope that sums up our stance on this matter. Thank you for visiting our shoppe.”
Backlash Against Jezebel
Following the tragedy, Jezebel faced heavy criticism for running the original article at all. Social media users flooded the outlet’s feeds, accusing it of reckless provocation. Some critics suggested the timing was “eerily prophetic,” while others accused the piece of “dabbling in darkness for cheap clicks.”
Paste Media Group, which owns Jezebel, quickly issued clarifications. President Josh Jackson told Variety the article was meant as satire:
“The article was a tongue-in-cheek exploration of people selling hexes on Etsy, and intended as a satirical response to Charlie Kirk’s rhetoric over the years. The writer was very clear that she didn’t want real harm to come to Kirk. What happened today is tragic and becoming all too commonplace, and we condemn this awful act of violence.”
The article has since been updated with an editor’s note:
“This story was published on September 8. Jezebel condemns the shooting of Charlie Kirk in the strongest possible terms. We do not endorse, encourage, or excuse political violence of any kind.”
A Chilling Coincidence or Something More?
The juxtaposition of a high-profile political assassination with a satirical “hex” article has ignited fierce debate online. To Kirk’s supporters, the coincidence feels sinister — an example of how rhetoric, even framed as comedy or satire, can veer dangerously close to endorsement of violence.
To others, the overlap is nothing more than grim timing, compounded by the sensationalism of modern internet culture. Experts on new religious movements note that online witchcraft communities have grown rapidly in recent years, often blending commerce, performance, and genuine spiritual practice.
What remains undeniable is that Kirk’s death has magnified the Jezebel piece in ways its authors never intended. What began as an exercise in irreverence is now seen by many as part of a much darker narrative.
National Mood
Charlie Kirk’s death has already shocked the political establishment. President Donald Trump, one of Kirk’s closest allies, vowed justice in a statement shortly after the killing. “This was a cowardly, evil act,” Trump said, promising federal authorities would hunt down the assassin.
Democrats and Republicans alike have condemned the shooting, while commentators continue to speculate on the motives behind it. The revelation that the bullets used in the attack carried ideological engravings has only deepened the sense of mystery.
Now, the resurfaced “hex” article adds a surreal dimension — one that mixes satire, mysticism, and tragedy in a way few could have anticipated.
Conclusion
The witch’s statement, Jezebel’s satire, and the nation’s grief have converged into a story that defies easy explanation. At its core remains the loss of a young father, husband, and political activist who was gunned down in public view.
Whether the so-called hex played any role beyond coincidence may never be proven. Yet its existence ensures that Charlie Kirk’s assassination will be remembered not only as a political killing but as an event wrapped in controversy, symbolism, and unanswered questions.
As investigators continue the hunt for Kirk’s killer, the echoes of satire, magic, and tragedy will remain entangled in the public conversation.
