Summary
In September 2025, Fox News host Brian Kilmeade faced widespread backlash after making an on-air remark suggesting that homeless people should receive “involuntary lethal injection.” The comment was made during a discussion about the killing of Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte, North Carolina, where the accused was a homeless man with a history of mental illness.
Key Events
- Incident: On September 10, 2025, during a segment on “Fox & Friends,” Kilmeade responded to a discussion about preventing crime among homeless and mentally ill individuals by saying: “Or involuntary lethal injection. Or something. Just kill them.”
- Reaction: The remark triggered immediate backlash from the public and political figures, including California Governor Gavin Newsom.
- Apology: On September 14, 2025, Kilmeade publicly apologized, stating: “I apologize for that extremely callous remark. I’m obviously aware that not all mentally ill homeless people act as the perpetrator did in North Carolina and so many homeless people deserve our empathy and compassion.”
Context
- The discussion was prompted by the murder of Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, allegedly by DeCarlos Brown Jr., a homeless man diagnosed with schizophrenia.
- The case reignited debates about crime, homelessness, mental health, and public safety in the United States.
Sources
- Washington Post: Fox host Brian Kilmeade apologizes for ‘extremely callous’ remark on-air
- Newsweek: Fox News Host Apologizes After Proposing ‘Lethal Injection’ for Homeless
- Politico: Fox host apologizes for saying mentally ill homeless people should be executed
- Yahoo News: FOX News host Brian Kilmeade apologizes for saying homeless people should be killed
Videos
Note: If a specific video of the apology or segment is available on YouTube or other platforms, replace the embed link above with the actual video URL.
This summary is based on public news reports as of September 2025.