The controversial left-wing streamer known as Destiny, whose real name is Stephen Bonnell, has come under severe scrutiny following his inflammatory comments after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. In the aftermath of the tragic event, Bonnell's remarks during a livestream have ignited a widespread backlash. He insinuated that conservatives need to experience fear when participating in public events to push their leaders to "turn down the temperature."
Bonnell's exact words on the livestream were, "I mean, you need conservatives to be afraid of getting killed when they go to events, so that they look to their leadership to turn down the temperature." He lamented what he perceives as a lack of fear among conservatives, dismissing the gravity of the situation as mere "memes" to some. His statements were met with immediate condemnation, with numerous critics accusing Bonnell of endorsing political violence.
The situation escalated during Bonnell's appearance on "Piers Morgan Uncensored," where he reiterated his stance without expressing remorse. "I think that liberals need to wake up and finally realize that if they’re not willing to do it, it will never come down," Bonnell stated, refusing to denounce the attack on Kirk. He went on to link Kirk's assassination to the presidency of Donald Trump, suggesting a correlation between Trump's time in office and the occurrence of significant protests and violent events.
This isn't the first time that Destiny has been criticized for using violent rhetoric. Reports from Trending Politics highlight an earlier instance wherein during a livestream, Bonnell justified the killing of retired firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was shot during an assassination attempt on then-President Trump. Bonnell's harsh commentary and refusal to condemn the assassination attempt have only furthered the outrage against him.
The consistency of Bonnell's comments over time has led to intensified calls for accountability. Several conservative activists and commentators have demanded legal consequences, with InfoWars founder Alex Jones labeling Bonnell's rhetoric as "the literal definition of terrorism." Other commentators share the sentiment, with U.K.-based journalist Connor Tomlinson advocating for Bonnell's imprisonment rather than deplatforming, condemning him for contributing to a culture that led to Kirk's death.
Elon Musk, in a recent tweet, also weighed in on the controversy, calling for Bonnell's imprisonment for inciting murder. The tweet followed Bonnell's claims that conservatives should feel threatened. The debate over Destiny's comments has raised critical questions about the boundaries of free speech and the responsibility of public figures to refrain from inciting violence.
As the story unfolds, the community remains divided on the issue of Bonnell's comments. Some demand punitive actions, while others debate the implications for free expression and the role of provocative rhetoric in public discourse.
