EMMURE’s Frankie Palmeri Calls Reactions to Charlie Kirk’s Death “Pure Evil”

Emmure frontman Frankie Palmeri has shifted the focus of his social media in recent weeks, moving away from his usual posts about gaming and Japanese culture toward more politically charged content. His feed on X has recently included reposts from right-wing figures, sparking conversation among fans.

Earlier today, Palmeri issued a lengthy statement addressing his political and societal views, particularly in response to reactions surrounding the assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. In his message, Palmeri criticized those celebrating Kirk’s death, reflected on his own experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, and shared his thoughts on the current state of division in the U.S.

Palmeri wrote:

“I don’t really care to engage anymore about politics, but I can gladly say that it wasn’t the death of Charlie Kirk that opened my eyes to the sickness in this world. I’ve known how broken it is for a long time. Charlie wasn’t a guy I followed or paid attention to closely, but his online presence certainly created a parasocial awareness that couldn’t be ignored.

In a country incredibly divided, he seemed like (and was) a guy who was willing to talk to anyone with the intention of showing that discourse is the best way for people to take that divide and at least coexist within it. Not to mention the hearts and minds he did reach across the country and even the world. To see such heartless and callous celebration of a life needlessly taken. To see the same brand of ‘human’ smiling, making jokes, proudly celebrating his demise, that to me is pure evil.”

He went on to discuss broader societal issues, his refusal to take the COVID-19 vaccine, and how that period affected his life and career.

“That being said, I never fully recovered watching the country get looted and burned while also being treated like a second-class citizen because I wouldn’t take a ‘COVID Vaccine.’ Like MANY others, I witnessed so much senseless chaos, all the while I was barred from my line of work, I lost money, I lost time, I wasn’t allowed in many spaces because I didn’t have my ‘vaccine proof’ papers.

The same ‘people’ who screamed about ‘the science’ and viciously screamed at me to wear a mask in public, are the same ‘people’ who were happy to kick me out of every facet of society… are the same ‘people’ telling me it’s good Charlie Kirk is dead. Not hyperbole. The same exact ‘humans.’”

Palmeri concluded his statement by calling for compassion and rejecting what he sees as society’s embrace of violence.

“Even if in some hypothetical fantasy world… it doesn’t change the fact that it’s objectively wrong to cheer when an innocent person is killed. It’s barbarianism at best and a glimpse of hell at its worse.

I want to live in a world and want the future generations to live in a world that accepts the truth, works on spiritual growth, shows compassion for those we don’t associate with and wants to create peace through debate… I just want terrorism to end. If you support anything that remotely sympathizes with terror, you’re the enemy.”

This isn’t the first time Palmeri has courted controversy. In 2012, his now-defunct Cold Soul clothing line drew backlash for controversial designs, including one referencing the Columbine High School shooters. He later distanced himself from the brand, admitting in 2018 that the line’s “insensitive and crude design choices [did] nothing to improve my life or career.”

Do you love independent bands, or are you in one? The Mosh Network is not just a rock/metal news website, but it doubles as an independent band directory, designed so that visitors can browse independent bands by not just subgenre, but location as well. It’s perfect to keep your finger on the pulse of your area’s hottest and newest bands or if you’re in a band, it’s a great way to find bands to network with! Click the banner below and start discovering bands all over the world, now!