Fox News host apologizes for remarks about killing mentally ill homeless people

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Brian Kilmeade, a host on “Fox & Friends,” apologized on Sunday for comments he made the previous week. He had suggested forcibly injecting homeless individuals with mental illness as a way to remove them from public spaces, and he has since apologized for those remarks.

Brian Kilmeade made these remarks last Wednesday on “Fox & Friends” while talking about the August 22nd stabbing death of Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, which occurred on a train in Charlotte, North Carolina.

DeCarlos Brown Jr., the man suspected of killing Zarutska, has a history of criminal activity and is experiencing homelessness. His family reports he also lives with paranoid schizophrenia.

Security camera footage of the attack on Zarutska quickly spread online, leading to a nationwide discussion about how to improve public safety and sentencing for criminals.

During a discussion on “Fox & Friends,” co-host Laurence Jones pointed out that despite billions of dollars being allocated to programs for the homeless and those with mental illness, many people in need don’t accept the offered assistance.

It’s frustrating, honestly. So many people are refusing the programs designed to help them, even when they desperately need it. It feels like we’re being forced to say, ‘Look, you either accept the support we’re offering, or you’ll end up back in jail.’ It shouldn’t be an ultimatum, but sometimes it feels like that’s the only way to get through to them and offer a real path forward.

Kilmeade added: “Or involuntary lethal injection or something — just kill ‘em.”

A clip of Kilmeade’s remarks started to circulate widely on X on Saturday.

I was really struck by Kilmeade’s apology on Sunday’s show. He admitted his earlier comment was incredibly insensitive, and he quickly clarified that he absolutely knows not everyone struggling with mental illness and homelessness is dangerous. He emphasized that so many people in that situation deserve our understanding and kindness, and I really appreciated him saying that.

Numerous online observers noted that Kilmeade’s remarks were reminiscent of the program of forced euthanasia authorized by Adolf Hitler in 1939, which targeted people with mental and physical disabilities. This program resulted in the deaths of over 250,000 individuals before the Holocaust began.

So far, Brian Kilmeade hasn’t faced the same consequences as Matthew Dowd, who was removed as a commentator on MSNBC after speaking about the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

According to Dowd, harmful ideas can escalate into harmful speech, and ultimately, harmful behavior, as he explained to MSNBC’s Katy Tur.

According to Dowd, a former political advisor to President George W. Bush, Kirk is a controversial person who frequently makes statements that could be considered hateful towards specific groups.

Hollywood Inc.

President Trump is pretty adamant about his disdain for the news media.

People on social media quickly became upset after Dowd implied that Kirk’s past controversial statements were connected to the shooting.

Rebecca Kutler, president of MSNBC, issued an apology and cut ties with Dowd.

Dowd also issued an apology on BlueSky, stating he didn’t mean to blame Kirk for the awful attack.

Comcast, the owner of MSNBC, sent an email to all employees on Friday addressing the recent firing of Keith Olbermann, stating the company needs to improve its practices.

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2025-09-14 18:31