A Portland-based tattoo artist has drawn widespread criticism after advertising a discounted tattoo promotion timed to coincide with the first anniversary of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, offering to ink customers in the same location on the neck where the Turning Point USA founder was shot. The advertisement, which circulated widely on social media over the weekend, has reignited debate over how some corners of the internet are choosing to mark the anniversary of Kirk’s killing.
What Did The Portland Tattoo Artist Advertise?
The promotion, posted to Instagram by an account identified as “blacksctratcher,” offered $50 neck tattoos for Wednesday, September 10, placed specifically at what the artist described as the exact placement of the kirkhole, according to an image of the advertisement reviewed by Fox News.
The post included sample designs and invited customers in Portland to message the account to book an appointment, with the account’s bio also referencing certification in handling bloodborne pathogens. The offer was framed by the artist as a one-year celebration tied directly to the anniversary date.
How Did Charlie Kirk Die And Why Does The Location Matter?
Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA, was shot in the neck and killed on September 10, 2025, while addressing students at Utah Valley University during a stop on his American Comeback Tour. His death, one of the most high-profile political killings in recent US history, has since become the focus of extensive commemoration by his supporters, as well as a target for mockery from some critics online, a dynamic that has intensified as the anniversary date approached this week.
How Has The Promotion Been Received Online?
The account Libs of TikTok amplified the tattoo promotion on Sunday, accusing the artist of using the anniversary to celebrate Kirk’s assassination, and the post quickly gathered hundreds of thousands of views. Reaction on the original Instagram post, before the account was switched to private, was largely hostile, with commenters condemning the promotion as tasteless and, in some cases, questioning the artist’s mental state.
The controversy has fed into a wider pattern of social media activity this week, with commentators on both the left and right noting a surge in posts using terms such as “Kirkaversary” to describe various tributes, jokes and promotions tied to the anniversary, a trend that has drawn condemnation from Kirk’s supporters as a mockery of a killing rather than a legitimate form of commentary.
How Has The Artist Responded To The Backlash?
Rather than withdrawing the promotion, the artist responded to critics directly on social media, posting a follow-up image dismissing the backlash and suggesting it would not affect her. When approached by Fox News Digital for comment, the artist reportedly asked whether she would be compensated for answering questions and did not respond to further follow-up queries. Turning Point USA did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the promotion.
Is This An Isolated Incident?
The tattoo promotion is one of several controversies to emerge around this week’s anniversary, following separate reports of other social media users posting mocking content tied to the date, as well as a planned “lookalike contest” involving Kirk’s likeness reported among students at Georgetown University. Together, the incidents underscore how divisive the anniversary of Kirk’s death has become online, even as official commemorations, including a memorial organised by Turning Point USA at Utah Valley University, are set to take place the same week.
