What did Eileen Davidson say? Actress addresses backlash over Charlie Kirk comments

Eileen Davidson, best known for The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and her Emmy-winning soap opera roles, faced backlash after addressing the assassination of commentator Charlie Kirk. According to the New York Post, Eileen Davidson had written in a since-deleted Instagram post,

“I am not in support of what happened to Charlie Kirk, but Charlie Kirk was in support of what happened to Charlie Kirk.”

The remark quickly drew criticism online. Responding to the uproar, Davidson clarified her stance on X, writing:

“Just for the record people? I never ever in 1 million years would celebrate the assassination of anybody ever. Please don’t twist things around.”

Still, some social media users were not convinced. One commenter accused the actress of walking back her statement, writing,

“But you did and then deleted it not realizing that the internet is forever. How dare you???!!!???”

Eileen Davidson replied directly, insisting,

“I stand by my post, sweetie.”

Eileen Davidson, who balanced her soap opera career on The Young and the Restless with occasional returns to RHOBH, had long voiced criticism of Donald Trump’s presidency and other conservative figures.

Her comments this month came amid national headlines about the death of Charlie Kirk. The conservative activist and Turning Point USA cofounder was shot on September 10 while delivering a speech at Utah Valley University. He was 31.

Authorities later identified Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old student, as the suspected shooter. Investigators said Robinson had written the words “Hey fascist! Catch!” on one of the bullets used.

Turning Point USA mourned Charlie Kirk in a public statement.

“It’s with a heavy heart that we, the Turning Point USA leadership team, write to notify you that early this afternoon, Charlie went to his eternal reward with Jesus Christ in Heaven,” the organization shared.

As reported by Us Weekly, Kirk was survived by his wife, Erika, and their two children. A public memorial was set for September 21 at Arizona’s State Farm Stadium.

Charlie Kirk remembered by wife Erika as Turning Point USA shares tribute:

According to NBC News, Erika Kirk, paid tribute to her late husband in a video message released by Turning Point USA. It marked her first public appearance since the conservative commentator was fatally shot at Utah Valley University.

“The evildoers responsible for my husband’s assassination have no idea what they have done, they killed Charlie because he preached a message of patriotism, faith and of God’s merciful love,” she shared.

Erika Kirk vowed to continue her husband’s mission.

“If you thought that my husband’s mission was powerful before, you have no idea,” she said.

“You have no idea what you just have unleashed across this entire country and this world. You have no idea. You have no idea the fire that you have ignited within this wife. The cries of this widow will echo around the world like a battle cry,” she added.

She thanked law enforcement and first responders for their efforts, adding that her husband had been “the perfect father ... the perfect husband.”

“I will never, ever have the words to describe the loss that I feel in my heart, I honestly have no idea what any of this means. I know that God does, but I don’t,” she shared.

Erika Kirk said their young daughter had asked, “Where’s Daddy?” the night after his death.

“How do you tell a 3-year-old? She’s 3, I said baby, Daddy loves you so much. Don’t you worry, he’s on a work trip with Jesus so he can afford your blueberry budget,” shared Erika.

Eileen Davidson reflects on soap legacy and reality TV journey:

Eileen Davidson’s resume might read like a daytime television hall of fame. She won Daytime Emmy Awards for two separate roles, Ashley Abbott on The Young and the Restless and Kristen DiMera on Days of Our Lives. Beyond daytime, she made her mark in primetime as well, joining her friend Lisa Rinna on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Away from the screen, Eileen Davidson is married to actor and writer Vincent Van Patten and had authored several soap-inspired mystery novels, including Death in Daytime and Diva Las Vegas.

In a 2021 conversation with the AV Club, Eileen Davidson reflected on why soap operas had endured for decades.

“I would say, first of all, it’s generational for sure. Most people that are watching it today watched it with their parents or grandparents. You just kind of pass it on to the younger generation as it goes,” she explained.

She noted that streaming platforms like Peacock had helped modernize the genre:

“It is bringing it to the 21st century by tying in such a different kind of pop culture, like the Housewives. But it’s also tying in the old way of doing things, too, with having the people that have been on [Days] for a long time.”

When asked about her stint on RHOBH, Eileen Davidson stressed the difference between reality television and scripted drama.

“This really is like comparing apples and oranges, with scripted, you know what you’re getting yourself into, and you leave at the studio, when you drive off the lot. But I mean, these are real things that are being said and you’re real people. So it’s just night and day,” she explained.

Eileen Davidson's reflections highlight a career that has bridged daytime drama and reality television, while also showing how both genres continue to evolve and resonate with audiences across generations.