Fox News host Brian Kilmeade now faces heavy criticism after he suggested on live television that homeless people with severe mental illness who refuse help should be killed.
The controversy erupted on Saturday morning after Kilmeade, on a Fox & Friends segment, proposed “involuntary lethal injection” for homeless individuals who refuse government assistance. Then he added, “just kill them,” escalating the outrage.
Brian Kilmeade endorses euthanizing homeless people: “Involuntary lethal injection, or something. Just kill them.” pic.twitter.com/on5NMereZQ
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 13, 2025
His co-hosts, Lawrence Jones and Ainsley Earhardt, did not object. Jones agreed with the basic premise, arguing that available resources were being refused, so “you can’t give them a choice.” Earhardt only asked how things had gotten so bad.
The segment centered on the recent tragic stabbing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska in North Carolina. The accused, a homeless man with a long criminal history and a mental health diagnosis, had several prior arrests. Hosts discussed whether law enforcement and officials had failed at protecting the public.
Kilmeade’s comment quickly spread online. Outrage came from all sides, including politicians, legal experts, and social media users.
I have a few.
Just fire him, @FoxNews.
Now. Today. https://t.co/R1EfKaikeL— Elizabeth de la Vega 🇺🇸🦅 (@Delavegalaw) September 13, 2025
Conservative attorney and anti-Trump activist George Conway wrote, “I have no words for this,” while former prosecutor Elizabeth de la Vega demanded Kilmeade’s immediate firing. “Just fire him, @FoxNews. Now. Today.”
Jon Lovett, a former presidential speechwriter, admitted surprise at seeing someone spitball the idea of euthanizing homeless people on national TV. Ex-GOP lawmaker Adam Kinzinger called it “a new low” for Fox News in a Saturday video. Kinzinger said that if Fox did not fire Kilmeade, then it could not complain about criticism.
California Governor Gavin Newsom responded with a biblical quote, writing, “Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.” Some, including Sarah Longwell from The Bulwark, wondered aloud how the segment had even aired.
Comments about “involuntary lethal injection” and “just kill them” have triggered urgent calls for accountability at Fox News. Lauren Windsor publicly called for Kilmeade’s firing, and the hashtag #FireBrianKilmeade began trending.
As of Saturday evening, Fox News had not issued a statement responding to the incident. The episode has raised wider concerns about media ethics, mainstream rhetoric, and the treatment of homeless and mentally ill people in America.
Many critics insist that such remarks should be grounds for immediate termination. Others warn that normalizing talk of violence against marginalized people could set a dangerous precedent nationwide.
The debate now extends beyond Kilmeade himself, sparking fresh calls for reform of media standards and public safety policies. Political leaders, advocates, and viewers await further action from Fox News.
Legal experts say public pressure over such inflammatory remarks often forces networks to respond, especially after viral backlash. Activists point to past firings for far less severe comments elsewhere in media.
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As pressure mounts and backlash grows, Fox News leadership faces a critical choice. Thousands online demand swift and decisive action with higher standards for broadcast commentary.
Video reactions and fuller coverage highlight the scale of outrage in the days following Kilmeade’s remarks.
This controversy is adding new urgency to conversations about how media shapes opinions and the responsibilities of mass communication platforms in addressing social issues.
