Rhetoric and Reverberations: Tuberville Rebukes Doug Jones Over Charlie Kirk Comparison

Montgomery, AL - September 17, 2025 - A war of words has erupted between two of Alabama's most prominent political figures following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The flashpoint? A controversial livestream by former U.S. Senator Doug Jones, in which he drew parallels between Kirk and Governor George Wallace, both of whom were shot during public appearances.

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Former Senator Doug Jones

Jones, speaking on the anniversary of the 1963 16th Street Baptist Church bombing, warned that "rhetoric like this has consequences you can't control," referencing both Wallace's segregationist speeches and Kirk's conservative campus tours. While Jones condemned Kirk's murder and affirmed his right to free speech, he suggested that both men's public messaging contributed to volatile political climates.

Tuberville Fires Back

Current U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville responded with force, calling Jones's remarks "absolutely disgusting and atrocious."

Slain conservative political philosopher Charlie Kirk

"Charlie taught millions of young people to love God, family, and country," Tuberville said. "The HATEFUL and VIOLENT rhetoric is coming from your side of the aisle."

Tuberville's rebuke underscores the deep ideological divide between Alabama's Democratic and Republican leadership-one shaped by decades of civil rights history, cultural conservatism, and national polarization.

Former Alabama Governor George C. Wallace (D) was shot in 1972 while campaigning for president. He survived but was left paralyzed in a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

Governor George C. Wallace

"I want you to remember George Wallace in leading up to 1963 and then somewhat beyond, when he was elected, continued this violent rhetoric, continued this hateful rhetoric. And guess what? George Wallace was ultimately shot... in 1972 as he was running for President of the United States."

Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was assassinated on September 10, 2025 at a campus event in Utah. His message centered on faith, patriotism, and limited government.

Jones claimed 's comparison was not a moral equivalence but a cautionary tale: that heated rhetoric-regardless of ideology-can fuel unpredictable violence.

"Rhetoric like this has consequences that you can't control. Once it's out, once that genie is out of the bottle, for God's sakes you cannot control where the violence is going to come from."

Tuberville interpreted Jones insensitive comments about Kirk as a partisan smear against a man that millions of Americans view as a martyr.

"What an absolutely disgusting and atrocious thing to say," Tuberville said of Jones' over the top remarks.

Jones was commenting on the anniversary of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church bombing that killed four little girls back during the Civil Rights Movement era.

Tuberville was recently a guest of Charlie Kirk's on his TV show.

https://www.alabamagazette.com/story/2025/09/15/news/tuberville-says-ill-llead-the-state-the-right-way-in-appearance-on-the-charlie-kirk-show/7793.html

Tuberville and Jones have a history. Jones' election in 2017 over Chief Justice Roy Moore was the only statewide election win by a Democrat over a Republican in Alabama since 2008. Tuberville, a former Auburn football Coach, then beat Jones by an incredible 477,000 votes in 2020 (60.1% to 38.7%).

Tuberville is now running for Governor of Alabama. Many Democrats are hoping that Jones will enter the race against Tuberville. Right now their candidates are Chad "Chig" Martin and Rev. Will Boyd.

Jones' inflammatory comments on Charlie Kirk and George Wallace have reignited national attention to the former Senator.

The Republican and Democratic primaries are on May 19, 2026.

(A.I. contributed to this report.)