In a tone-deaf move that has ignited a firestorm on social media, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton publicly endorsed a controversial new book by American Federation of Teachers (AFT) president Randi Weingarten—just one week after the politically motivated assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.

The book, titled “Why Fascists Fear Teachers,” argues that those opposing public education reforms—including curriculum control and book bans—are participating in authoritarian behavior, equating many conservative stances with fascism. Clinton praised the book on X, writing:

“Congratulations to my friend [Weingarten] on ‘Why Fascists Fear Teachers.’ From banning books to controlling curriculum, authoritarians go after public education because it’s a cornerstone of democracy. Randi’s new book is a critical read for this moment.”

The post featured a smiling Weingarten holding the book, but what Clinton may have viewed as an endorsement of educators quickly became a flashpoint for conservatives, who saw it as a grotesque continuation of rhetoric that helped inspire real-world violence.

“This is disgraceful,” Republican strategist Matt Whitlock wrote on X.

“It’s been one week since Charlie Kirk was murdered by a lunatic who wrote about ‘fascists’ on shell casings. Now, Randi Weingarten has a new book arguing everyone who disagrees with her views on public education—which have destroyed public education in America—is a fascist.”

Other conservative voices echoed the sentiment. Corey DeAngelis, senior fellow at the American Culture Project, called it “disgusting rhetoric,” adding:

“Hillary Clinton and Randi Weingarten are going full speed ahead with this just days after Charlie Kirk’s assassination. Sick people.”

Jack Posobiec, another prominent conservative commentator, posted simply:

“Charlie Kirk was murdered exactly one week ago. Here’s Hillary Clinton today.”

The timing of Clinton’s post has led many on the right to argue that Democratic leaders are unwilling—or perhaps unable—to moderate their inflammatory language, even in the wake of political violence. The Republican National Committee (RNC) criticized the move on X, writing:

“Democrats Hillary Clinton and Randi Weingarten are still suggesting Republicans are ‘fascists.’ They really can’t help themselves, can they?”

Even public officials joined the backlash. Huntington Beach City Councilman Andrew Gruel noted the irony:

“They wrote an entire book on a word they don’t even understand.”

While Clinton’s office has not responded to media inquiries, Weingarten issued a defensive statement to Fox News Digital:

“Have they read the book? If they did, they’d discover it’s a love letter to teachers.”

According to its publisher, Weingarten’s book outlines the idea that authoritarian regimes throughout history have sought to control education systems—censoring curricula, banning books, and silencing teachers. The book claims:

“Fascists fear teachers because teachers foster an educated and empowered population that can see past propaganda and scare tactics.”

But critics argue that the AFT and its allies have used that same educational system to promote divisive ideologies, politicize classrooms, and suppress dissenting viewpoints—particularly those of conservative parents and educators.

Hillary Clinton and Randi Weingarten have once again drawn a line in the sand—demonizing their opponents while claiming moral high ground, even as the country reels from a political killing. Conservatives say it’s not just poor judgment—it’s dangerous.