Michael Keaton has drawn fierce criticism for saying the ‘irony’ of Charlie Kirk being murdered with a gun is ‘unbelievable’; pictured in March 2024

Michael Keaton has drawn fierce criticism for saying the ‘irony’ of Charlie Kirk being murdered with a gun was ‘unbelievable.’

Kirk was shot dead by a sniper at the age of 31 last Wednesday at Utah Valley University, during one of the on-campus debates for which he was famous.

The MAGA influencer – who was a staunch advocate of gun rights – was killed while in the midst of an exchange about mass shootings with a left-wing audience member, with transgender perpetrators as the point of contention.

Keaton, 74, an outspoken supporter of liberal causes, gave an address about Kirk at the Investigative Reporters and Editors’ 50th anniversary gala on Monday.

‘Before we start to get into the meat of this thing, I’m going to take a minute to say that, regardless of how I probably – not probably – have disagreed with many things he said, Charlie Kirk leaves behind two kids and a wife. You gotta remember that,’ the Batman star said early on in his speech, according to Variety.

‘Because in the end, shooting people will never answer anything, and the irony that he was killed with a gun is unbelievable,’ added Keaton.

His remarks drew brickbats from both sides of the aisle on social media, as Kirk’s fans slammed the ‘irony’ remark, while left-wing commenters reacted with derision to Keaton’s expression of sympathy for Kirk’s widow Erika and their two toddlers.

‘Maybe Charlie should have thought of that possibility though,’ wrote one of the latter. ‘It was pretty reckless of him to continue down the same path, put himself in the limelight and then spew garbage that infuriated people. He didn’t think about his children or wife. Because he loved the money too much.’

‘Why does everyone want us to care about this idiot that got what he deserved??????’ wrote another, as a third snapped: ‘the wife was complicit in everything Charlie stood for and vows to continue his “legacy” now that he’s gone so it’s f*** her forever!’

‘The thing about “he who will not be named” who’s a pile of s***,’ wrote another. ‘All these white celebrities adding that he had two kids and a wife. NOBODY CARES!’

‘Hard to mourn someone who fueled hate and defended atrocities,’ sniffed still another. ‘His legacy is stained by the suffering he chose to support.’

Kirk’s admirers also reacted with outrage, such as one who wrote: ‘It’s not “irony.” It’s your run of the mill sick fk leftists. But I wouldn’t expect Keaton, a devout s***lib, to understand that the left is who we have to defend ourselves from.’

‘Charlie defended the second amendment so we’d be able to protect ourselves from a tyrannical government, not so that we could shoot people in the throat because we don’t like the things they say in debate,’ another noted.

Kirk, 31, pictured just before he was fatally shot in the neck during an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday

Suspected gunman Tyler Robinson, 22, was taken into custody Thursday

The Utah governor confirmed that the accused’s romance with his live-in male-to-female trans lover Lance Twiggs aka Luna (pictured), also 22, is being investigated as a potential motive

Left-wing commenters reacted with derision to Keaton’s expression of sympathy for Kirk’s widow Erika and their two toddlers

His remarks drew brickbats from both sides of the aisle on social media, as Kirk’s fans slammed the ‘irony’ remark

Keaton had his defenders as well, such as one who wrote: ‘I think that is a much more aware statement than most of the other celebrity statements’

‘This right here is why sooo many people checked out of watching anything Hollywood creates,’ a third fumed. ‘Michael Keaton is truly a moron when you hear him speak. 3rd grade education on display again.’

‘I like how they have to say first I disagree with this person before saying oh my God this is such a tragedy,’ observed another, as still another wrote: ‘Alllllost ready to commit to giving condolences but not quite there.’

Suspected gunman Tyler Robinson, 22, has been charged with capital murder, and Utah Governor Spencer Cox has confirmed that the accused’s romance with his live-in trans lover Lance Twiggs aka Luna is being investigated as a potential motive. Twiggs is cooperating with the authorities.

Meanwhile, Keaton had his defenders as well, such as one who wrote: ‘I think that is a much more aware statement than most of the other celebrity statements,’ and another who argued: ‘Nothing wrong with what he said. Michael Keaton gets to state his opinion.’

‘Michael Keaton is trying to be better than his peers. He is taking more of a high road,’ another wrote, while adding: ‘I really don’t know anything that he would disagree with that Charlie Kirk said Charlie Kirk was intelligent. He always stated facts. Charlie never lied. He was factual.’

The same poster urged others to ‘give Michael Keaton some credit for caring that Charlie will be missed by his family. Being mean in your responses to Michael is not helpful. We become part of the problem if we speak badly to others.’

She concluded: ‘We all have to be aware of our behavior and be kind to others. Charlie Kirk was kind to everyone. Let’s be kind too.’