On September 10, 2026, Netflix’s UK & Ireland X account posted a meme from The Gentlemen Season 2 with the caption: ‘Nearly did himself a neck injury.’ The post, which referenced a scene where a character sharply turns his head, was published exactly one year after Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot in the neck during a campus event at Utah Valley University.
Netflix denies any connection to Kirk’s death, calling the comparison ‘ludicrous’ in statements to multiple outlets. A company spokesperson told Fox News Digital and Us Weekly that the post was solely referencing a plot point from the show, which premiered on September 3, 2026, and that claims of a veiled reference were ‘inaccurate.’
Immediate Reactions and Backlash
The timing of the post sparked widespread outrage among conservative commentators and Kirk’s supporters. Libs of TikTok, a prominent conservative account, accused Netflix of ‘subtly mocking Charlie Kirk’s assassination’ and called for subscribers to cancel their memberships. The post was met with thousands of replies, including calls from figures like Rudy Giuliani and Jack Posobiec, who urged boycotts of the platform. Some users shared screenshots of canceled subscriptions, while others labeled the company ‘sick’ and ‘evil.’
Netflix’s response has not quelled the controversy. The company reiterated that the post was unrelated to real-world events, stating: ‘This post directly references a plot point from our UK series, The Gentlemen... Suggestions that it has any link to sensitive real world events are inaccurate and ludicrous.’
Context and Broader Implications
The incident has reignited debates about corporate accountability and political neutrality in media. Critics argue that the timing of the post—whether intentional or not—demonstrates a pattern of insensitivity among major corporations toward conservative figures. Supporters of Netflix counter that the company has a right to promote its content without facing accusations of malice, especially when the reference is clearly tied to a fictional work.
The backlash has also extended to financial consequences, with some users sharing screenshots of Netflix’s stock performance, claiming the controversy contributed to a decline. However, no direct correlation between the post and stock movements has been verified by independent reporting.
Official Statements and Social Media Response
- Netflix UK & Ireland X Account: Posted the meme with the caption ‘Nearly did himself a neck injury’ alongside images from The Gentlemen.
- Netflix Spokesperson: Denied any link to Kirk’s assassination, calling such claims ‘ludicrous.’
- Conservative Figures: Accused Netflix of ‘mocking’ Kirk’s death, with Matt Walsh and Jon Root calling the timing ‘too coincidental to ignore.’
- Subscribers: Hundreds announced cancellations on X, with some sharing screenshots of their canceled accounts.
The controversy underscores the polarized reactions to high-profile figures’ deaths and the fragility of public trust in corporate communications.