Suffolk GOP Chair Blasts Newsday for Charlie Kirk Smear: Paper Retracts and Apologizes

By Chris O'Neill

In a quick "about-face" the daily Long Island newspaper Newsday pulled down an offensive cartoon against the assassinated conservative activist Charlie Kirk, and publicly apologized.

The newspaper's actions were prompted by a public demand for retraction from Suffolk Republican Chairman Jesse Garcia.

"Newsday - the only daily paper on Long Island - has crossed a line," stated Garcia. "By publishing a vile cartoon about the political assassination of Charlie Kirk, the paper has mocked tragedy, stoked division, and poured gasoline on the flames of political violence."

"This isn’t journalism. It’s a reckless, partisan attack that blames the victim, silences free speech, and shames everything this country should stand for," added Garcia.

The offending cartoon was drawn by Chip Bok of Creators.com, and mocked the conservative Charlie Kirk, implying that he was "proven wrong" with a fatal shot to his neck. The cartoon portrayed a "blood spatter" behind an empty chair where Kirk was killed.

Garcia demanded that the cartoon be pulled, the "artist" be fired, and an apology made to the Kirk family, Newsday’s readers, and to every American who believes in freedom of speech. 

Within hours of Garcia's letter and press release, Newsday pulled the cartoon, and issued a public apology.

"Newsday published a syndicated editorial cartoon referring to the assassination of Charlie Kirk that was insensitive and offensive," wrtote Newsday's Publisher.  "We deeply regret this mistake and sincerely apologize to the family of Charlie Kirk and to all."

"We made an error in judgment," added Newsday. "The cartoon has been removed from our digital platforms."

Garcia accepted Newsday's apology, exclaiming "Decency prevails !".

"Today, a little more than 19 hours after the statement from our Suffolk GOP condemning this disgraceful political cartoon, Newsday has publicly acknowledged its mistake, apologized to the Kirk family, its readers, and the broader public, and removed the cartoon from its platforms." stated Garcia. 

"On behalf of the Suffolk County and Brookhaven Republican Committees, I accept this apology."

"We recognize that owning up to such an egregious error is not easy, and we hope this moment serves as a reminder to every newsroom in America that words and images matter," added Garcia.