Fox News host Greg Gutfeld sparked controversy on Sunday after mocking his colleague Howard Kurtz following Kurtz’s comment that murdered conservative activist Charlie Kirk “was not a saint.” The incident occurred during Kurtz’s final broadcast of “MediaBuzz” on September 14, 2025, after the show was canceled following a 12-year run.

During the September 14 episode, Kurtz was discussing Kirk’s murder with Washington Examiner contributor Sarah Bedford. Bedford noted the existence of violent extremism on both political sides but claimed that violence from the left has been disproportionately under-reported by media outlets.

Kurtz responded by acknowledging that violence was not unique to one political party before making his controversial statement about Kirk. He indicated that while Kirk was not perfect, having previously stated that some gun deaths were an acceptable cost for maintaining Second Amendment rights, his murder made the current political climate feel particularly dangerous.

The comment quickly spread across social media platforms through video clips, prompting Gutfeld to respond with a pointed dig at his colleague’s new employment status. Kurtz will remain with Fox News as a political media analyst despite his show’s cancellation, which occurred before Kirk’s killing.

Gutfeld, who hosts his own show on the conservative network, posted on social media platform X: “Maybe we can tune in next week for a clarification….oh wait…” The post was accompanied by a video clip of Kurtz’s original comment, highlighting the fact that Kurtz would no longer have a regular platform to address the controversy.

The timing of Gutfeld’s mockery drew particular attention, given that Kurtz had been reassigned at Fox News before the conservative activist’s death.

Following his controversial comment, Kurtz later praised Kirk’s willingness to debate anyone, attempting to provide additional context to his earlier statement. However, the initial remark had already generated significant backlash from conservative viewers and commentators who viewed it as disrespectful to Kirk’s memory.

The incident highlights ongoing tensions within conservative media circles regarding appropriate responses to Kirk’s death. Some figures have faced consequences for comments that were perceived as insufficiently supportive of the murdered activist, while others have used the tragedy to criticize political opponents.

Gutfeld’s response reflects his position as one of Fox News’ most prominent late-night hosts, regularly drawing large audiences for his commentary show. His willingness to publicly mock a colleague demonstrates the internal dynamics at the network, where different personalities sometimes clash over editorial approaches and public statements.

The “MediaBuzz” cancellation represents a significant programming change for Fox News, ending more than a decade of media criticism and analysis programming. Kurtz’s transition to a reduced role as a political analyst marks a notable shift in his relationship with the network, though he maintains his employment.

The controversy surrounding Kirk’s death has created a challenging environment for media figures attempting to provide balanced commentary on political violence. Several personalities have found themselves under scrutiny for their responses, with some facing professional consequences for statements deemed inappropriate by their audiences or employers.

Social media platforms have amplified these controversies, allowing comments to spread rapidly and generating immediate responses from other media personalities. Gutfeld’s quick response to Kurtz’s comment demonstrates how quickly such incidents can escalate in the current media environment.