In the wake of a deeply tragic and politically charged event, HGTV’s Home Town Takeover star Erin Napier is refusing to back down. The interior designer and television personality ignited a firestorm on social media following her comments about the shocking murder of conservative activist and Turning Point USA founder, Charlie Kirk. Kirk was fatally shot in the neck while delivering a speech at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on Wednesday, September 10.
Shortly after news of Kirk’s assassination broke, Erin Napier took to Instagram to voice her dismay—not over Kirk’s politics, but over the disturbing reaction from segments of the public. In a brief but powerful Instagram Story, she wrote:
“Only the demonized celebrate death.”
For many Americans—particularly those who still value civil discourse and basic human decency—Napier’s comment was a call to remember our shared humanity. However, in today’s hyper-partisan environment, even a plea for compassion was enough to send some of her liberal followers into a frenzy. What followed was a wave of vitriol, largely from left-leaning individuals, some of whom used the tragedy as an opportunity to chastise Napier for daring to express grief over the murder of a conservative figure.
“I am revolted by some of the comments in my DMs,” Napier wrote in a follow-up post. “Unfollow me, immediately, if you could be one of those comments. Christ, have mercy on us all.”
Rather than issuing a hollow apology or deleting her statement, Napier chose to confront the backlash head-on. By Friday, September 12, she was posting screenshots of the hate-filled direct messages she had received—many from people who admitted they would boycott her shows or discard products associated with her brand.
One user threatened to stop watching Home Town entirely. “Because I will not celebrate murder,” Napier captioned her reply. Another message, shockingly, came from someone claiming to be a psychiatrist who attacked her homeschooling decision, twisting it into a critique of her apparent support for Kirk’s pro-Second Amendment stance.
“Really Erin? You are homeschooling your precious children in LAUREL, MS (of all places) to prevent something like this from happening to them,” the message read, going on to vilify Kirk. “This guy was ALL FOR IT. He died for what he believed in. God have mercy on his soul because I do not.”
Napier didn’t mince words in her response: “You know nothing about why I am homeschooling my children, you sick goblin.”
That exchange alone shows that Erin Napier is not afraid to speak the truth, even when it costs her followers. And that’s something many conservatives find sorely lacking in today’s celebrity landscape—a willingness to stand on principle over popularity.
In another screenshot, a disgruntled fan said, “Thanks for making an unfollow easy peasy,” to which Napier once again responded:
“Because I will not celebrate murder.”
By Sunday, September 14, Napier had turned from confrontation to faith. She posted a prayerful message on Instagram:
“Give us strength to love, give us your peace and your kindness even as we reject wickedness and let it be what the world sees in me.”
The message resonated with many—including fellow HGTV star Jenny Marrs, who commented simply, “Amen.”
This is a moment where silence would have been easy—and likely expected. But instead, Erin Napier chose conviction over cowardice. She reminded her audience that death—no matter whose—should never be cause for celebration.
While much of Hollywood and entertainment culture leans left and often avoids defending anyone on the right, Napier’s stance is a breath of fresh air for conservatives who often feel silenced or shamed for expressing basic values such as respect for life and decency in discourse.
In a world where speaking out against evil can cost you followers, brand deals, and your reputation, Erin Napier showed that some principles are worth defending—no matter the price.
