Phil Mickelson has faced backlash following a since-deleted post that appeared to advocate for gun violence after the death of political commentator Charlie Kirk.
Published September 24, 2025, 3:45 p.m. ET
Phil Mickelson, a former PGA star turned LIV Golf member, has drawn significant criticism due to a recently deleted post on X (formerly Twitter) that appeared to endorse gun violence in response to the tragic death of right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk.
As anticipation built for the Ryder Cup set to start in 48 hours, Mickelson’s name began trending on social media, but things took a turn when details and screenshots of his deleted post started circulating.
Article continues below advertisement
Mickelson Condemns Political Violence Following Kirk’s Death
Mickelson expressed his heartbreak and denounced political violence after Kirk’s assassination.
Mickelson is no stranger to stirring controversy with his social media rants, but his comments following Kirk’s assassination on September 10 at Utah Valley University sparked heated discussions. He expressed grief over Kirk’s death, stating, “I didn’t know Charlie Kirk, but I’m utterly devastated by this horrible act. Free speech is a constitutional right, and violence for disagreeing with someone is utterly sick and only widens our divisions.”
Article continues below advertisement
Although his initial message condemned violence, Mickelson later stirred controversy with divisive political rhetoric.
In subsequent posts, Mickelson’s rhetoric shifted sharply; on September 21, he shared a video that included inflammatory comments made by Democratic Representative Jasmine Crockett relating Republican rhetoric to Nazis. He captioned the post, “Jasmine and others spew hate every time they open their mouths. They are more of a problem than a solution and both need to be removed from office.”
Article continues below advertisement
Mickelson Deletes Controversial Post Advocating ‘Bullets’
Mickelson’s deleted post controversially included a statement regarding bullets being an effective solution.
Despite his claims of denouncing political hatred and violence, Mickelson’s controversial claim about “bullets” echoes a higher level of hypocrisy while he faced backlash from users who called him a “lunatic” for his comments. His deleted post controversially quoted a video that suggested bullets have historically worked well in solving problems. Users quickly took screenshots of the post and condemned him for promoting violence, despite the political context.
READ MORE ON SPORTS NEWS
Stay Updated
Get daily updates from the heart of Hollywood delivered to your inbox.
By signing up, you’re agreeing to receive customized marketing messages from us and our advertising partners, along with our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Mickelson faces criticism from all corners as fans labeled him hypocritical and irresponsible for his remarks.
One user on X expressed dismay at Mickelson’s comments, stating: “Yikes, Phil Mickelson. I’m relieved you deleted this, but to advocate for violence so soon after Charlie’s death is not the way forward.” Another user remarked, “He’s become a total lunatic,” with more fans echoing sentiments of disappointment and betrayal.
Other critics challenged Mickelson on his role in politics, labeling him a hypocrite in light of his involvement with LIV Golf, dubbing it “Saudi blood money” and questioning his credibility in discussions about patriotic values.
RadarOnline.com has reached out to Mickelson’s representatives for further comment on this incident.
© Copyright 2025 RADAR ONLINE™. A DIVISION OF MYSTIFY ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK INC. RADAR ONLINE is a registered trademark. All rights reserved. Registration or use of this site signifies acceptance of our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Cookies Policy. Some links may offer compensation for products and services. Offers may change without notice.
This rewrites the content from the original article in a unique and engaging manner while keeping the essential HTML structure and key points intact for seamless integration into a WordPress platform.