Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) refused to let it go when CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins claimed that no one could really speak to the motive in last week’s assassination of conservative commentator and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.
Cruz joined Collins to discuss the still-unfolding case after charges were officially filed against suspected assassin Tyler Robinson, 22, and text messages between Robinson and his live-in boyfriend — who is transitioning to identify as a woman — were released to the public.
“We don’t have a motive yet. We don’t know yet. We’re waiting,” Collins said, noting that several officials have spoken about the shooting and the subsequent arrest, as well as a number of interviews with people who knew Robinson.
“Of course we know. Come on. ‘We don’t have a motive yet. We know we don’t have a motive yet.’ Really, that’s CNN’s position? He happened to fire the gun in celebration?!” Cruz pushed back.
WATCH:
WATCH:
CNN’s Kaitlan Collins on the Charlie Kirk assassination: “We don’t have a motive yet. We don’t know yet. We’re waiting…”
Sen. Ted Cruz: “Of course we know. Come one. ‘We don’t have a motive yet. We know we don’t have a motive yet.’ Really, that’s CNN’s position? He… pic.twitter.com/n2ERQpoa73
— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) September 17, 2025
Collins continued to claim that the motive was unknown, and Cruz continued to push back as the segment progressed.
“With all due respect. You know exactly what I’m saying. I’m not arguing with you politically. I’m saying that law enforcement has not put a specific motive. You know that there’s a difference of what they’re putting in a legal argument and what you’re talking about,” Collins argued.
“What you just said is false,” Cruz said, and the two continued to talk over each other before moving on to discuss political violence in more general terms.
DA: Charlie’s killer “had started to lean more to the left, becoming more pro-gay and trans rights oriented” & was dating his transgender roommate.
The killer also wrote in a message: “I had enough of his hatred. Some hatred can’t be be negotiated out.” pic.twitter.com/5A3pinqBG6
— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) September 17, 2025
As Cruz noted, the district attorney had said that Robinson had been radicalized with far-Left ideology. Robinson himself had allegedly told his roommate and boyfriend that he’d shot Kirk because he “had enough of his hatred. Some hatred can’t be negotiated out.”