Actor Glen Powell has landed himself in the middle of controversy after a comment on a podcast left listeners speculating that he had alluded to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Appearing on the Therapuss with Jake Shane podcast, Powell recounted an awkward encounter at a Hollywood party with a “toxic” celebrity who had recently been “canceled.” Powell explained that when asked to pose for a photo with the figure, he hesitated, realizing how closely associating with them might stick.
But it was his segue into discussing his upcoming Hulu comedy Chad Powers that drew gasps. While describing his character Russ Holliday as someone who “just made a mistake,” Powell contrasted him with others in cancel culture, saying:
“Some of these other people that get canceled… they should lie where they’re shot.”
That phrase, in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s shocking September 10 assassination on a Utah campus, immediately sparked speculation online. Many interpreted it as a pointed, if subtle, reference to Kirk’s death. Others argued it was likely an ill-chosen metaphor that landed poorly because of recent events.
Social media lit up with divided reactions. Some were startled by Powell’s apparent edge. “Glen saw how everyone was grouping him together with MAGA Barbie and said let me fix that real quick,” one Redditor quipped. Another wrote, “Glen Powell, dang. I didn’t know you had it in you.”
Others were more cautious, insisting the line was coincidental. “I don’t think he’s referring to Charlie Kirk,” one user posted. “I think it was a combination of a poor choice of words and coincidence.” Another added, “I can’t tell if he truly intended to allude to Charlie, or if he was planning to use that metaphor and realized that it sounded different now in the wake of someone literally getting shot.”
Powell has not publicly clarified his remarks.
Meanwhile, the Kirk family and thousands of supporters gathered in Arizona over the weekend for a massive memorial service. Tyler Robinson, 22, is accused of killing Kirk with a single gunshot as the Turning Point USA founder addressed students in Utah.
