CNN’s Scott Jennings Says He’s ‘Not Sure It’s Safe to Be an Outspoken Conservative’ Following Charlie Kirk Shooting

Sean JamesSep 10th, 2025, 6:38 pm
 

CNN senior political commentator Scott Jennings said he was in “utter disbelief” and unsure if it is “safe to be an outspoken conservative” in the United States, following the shooting of conservative media star Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.

Jennings was clearly shaken following the attack. The cable channel’s in-house conservative pundit said the shooting, coupled with the assassination attempts against President Donald Trump a year ago, makes him question whether Republicans need to hide their political affiliation in order to stay safe.

“I’ll be honest with you, I am in utter disbelief at this,” Jennings told Kasie Hunt. “I sat in this room last summer, the night they shot the president, and now they shot Charlie. And I’m not sure it’s safe to be an outspoke conservative walking around in America right now.”

Jennings shared his thoughts at 4:14 p.m. ET, only minutes before Kirk was pronounced dead from a single gunshot to the neck. The longtime Republican, who served President George W. Bush as a special assistant and as his deputy director of political affairs, among other political positions, said he was sure many people were “horrified” by the shooting, before continuing.
added there will be a lot of people who are “horrified” by the attack.

“I don’t know what going to happen, other than to tell you that this nation is in desperate need of pray and some kind of an intervention, because, what was Charlie doing? Making a speech; engaging in rhetoric; having a debate. That’s the bedrock of our nation. And now you can’t go out in public and engage in speech? That’s the opposite of violence. Speech is the opposite.”

Soon after, Megyn Kelly, during a live stream on YouTube, echoed Jennings’ comments. She told Glenn Beck the shooter — who remains at large — must be caught, or it will feel like “open season” on conservatives in the U.S.

You can watch Jennings share his thoughts via the clip above from CNN.

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