Governors' spouses call for end to hateful rhetoric

Kaitlin McCallum, Hartford Courant on Sep 17, 2025

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

The spouses of 38 United States governors are calling for Americans to refrain from any hateful political rhetoric and instead seek to build peace.

The first spouses made their plea in a statement published by the National Governors Association this week following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

“As First Spouses of states and territories across the country, we are in a unique position to both witness and experience the contempt that has permeated our culture. Today, we stand together—across political backgrounds—to condemn political violence of every kind,” the statement said.

“The soul of America is corroded every time hateful rhetoric or violence takes root. Peacemakers are needed in every corner of our society, especially in our politics. Our children are watching. They desperately need us to show them a better way.

“We are committed to seeing every American as a person with inherent dignity and worth. Let us listen more, eliminate hate, and find connection and healing as we seek peace together. Our democracy depends on it, and so does the future of a united America.”

Since Wednesday, President Donald Trump first called for Americans to tone down political rhetoric before calling Democrats “vicious,” “horrible” and “scum,” and “directly responsible for the terrorism that we’re seeing in our country today, and it must stop right now.”

Conservatives online have both called out and advocated for the firing of those who have posted sentiments they deem critical of Kirk or as celebrating his death. Trump has vowed to go after left-wing organizations he says are inciting political violence.

Democrats meanwhile have pointed to Trump’s statements as fueling division by vilifying Democrats and other political opponents.

Tyler Anderson, a 22-year-old Utah man who has been charged in Kirk’s murder, reportedly said he killed the political activist because he “spreads too much hate.”

Many political figures from Ben Shapiro to former President Barack Obama have called this moment an inflection point in American culture and an opportunity to turn away from division and violence.

Connecticut's Republican minority leader, state Sen. Stephen Harding, the day after Kirk’s shooting posted a video message calling for Americans to come together.

“One thing I remember about 9/11 is that there was a 9/12 and on 9/12 we came together, pushed aside whatever differences we may have had whether political or otherwise and came together as Americans,” Harding said. “We bonded on our commonality and being human beings. We need that now more than ever in our country. We need to come together.

“Let’s all come together and condemn political violence against anyone. No one, no one deserves to die because they have a political difference with you. Let’s come back, respect one another, let’s respect our differences and move forward in a positive direction for our country and our world.”

_____