TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Democratic congressional candidate Alexander Vindman appeared Saturday on the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus’ 2026 convention, an occasion hosted by a gaggle whose president has drawn criticism for previous feedback about conservative activist Charlie Kirk following his loss of life.
The caucus is led by Kristen Browde, who has made a number of public statements criticizing Kirk, together with labelling him “trash,” and evaluating him to Osama bin Laden and selling conspiracy theories suggesting Republicans had been behind his loss of life, in response to screenshots and statements circulating on-line.
In a single assertion, Browde in contrast Kirk to the 9/11 mastermind: “Osama Bin Laden was a terrorist. Now, he didn’t fly the planes. However he used spiritual textual content to encourage and lead the individuals who dedicated the worst terror assault on the US ever… No, Charlie Kirk didn’t fly the planes or hearth the photographs, however he used spiritual texts, extremist biblical interpretation to encourage and lead individuals who threaten and typically commit acts of terror in opposition to Individuals.”
Browde additionally confronted criticism over social media posts that amplified claims that Kirk “was as evil as Hitler” and blamed the conservative icon for his personal homicide in one other social media publish, stating it was “exhausting to be all that shocked when somebody who incited violence turns into its sufferer.”
She added that “Charlie Kirk mentioned gun violence is a worth we pay for freedom,” accompanied by emojis.
The remarks got here after Kirk’s assassination and amid on-line hypothesis tying his loss of life to calls for for the total launch of the Epstein information. One broadly shared publish requested, “bizarre how nobody tried to harm Charlie Kirk throughout his years of spreading hate and division till he demanded MAGA / Republicans / Trump launch each final title within the Epstein Information.”
Vindman’s look on the convention comes as he campaigns for public workplace in Florida, the place Republicans have maintained a powerful electoral benefit in current statewide elections. Vindman, a former Military officer and White Home Nationwide Safety Council officers throughout the Trump administration has develop into a distinguished critic of the president.
Vindman has not publicly distanced himself from Browde’s statements or the caucus management. His determination to share the stage comes as Florida voters proceed to reject the unconventional left’s agenda in favor of pro-growth, law-and-order insurance policies beneath Republican management.
The convention drew left-wing activists amid ongoing Democratic efforts to regain footing within the Sunshine State following repeated electoral defeats.
