Brian Kilmeade faces backlash for advocating lethal injections for mentally ill homeless
- Brian Kilmeade, a co-host of 'Fox & Friends', suggested that mentally ill homeless individuals who refuse treatment should be executed.
- His remarks were made during a discussion surrounding the murder of Iryna Zarutska in North Carolina.
- Kilmeade later apologized for his comments, acknowledging their insensitivity and emphasizing that many homeless people deserve compassion.
In the United States, during a segment of "Fox & Friends" on September 10, 2025, Brian Kilmeade made controversial remarks about mentally ill homeless individuals while discussing a recent murder case. The discussion revolved around the tragic stabbing death of Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee killed on August 22 in Charlotte, North Carolina, by Decarlos Brown Jr., a homeless man diagnosed with schizophrenia. This incident sparked significant outrage, especially among advocates for the homeless, after Kilmeade suggested that the government should provide involuntary lethal injections to those who refuse help. Kilmeade's remarks came after his co-host, Lawrence Jones, indicated that homeless individuals who do not accept treatment should be jailed. Kilmeade escalated the situation by adding, "Just kill them," an assertion that shocked many viewers and prompted his subsequent apology. Over the weekend after the comments aired, the backlash intensified, with criticism flowing from various media figures and political commentators, including California Governor Gavin Newsom. During an apology statement on September 12, Kilmeade called his original comments extremely callous and acknowledged that many homeless individuals deserve empathy and compassion. He clarified that not all mentally ill homeless people behave violently, contrasting his sentiment with the severe nature of Zarutska's murder, emphasizing the need for a more humane approach towards mental illness and homelessness. The repercussions of Kilmeade's statements highlight a growing concern over the narrative surrounding mental health and homelessness in the media, as well as potential biases in public discourse. Advocates for homeless people, like Christine Quinn, president of Win, urged Kilmeade to volunteer at shelters to better understand the complexities of the homeless crisis. Kilmeade’s comments and their subsequent fallout underscore the delicate balance media figures must maintain when handling sensitive social issues, reflecting a broader societal challenge regarding compassion versus punitive measures for vulnerable populations.