“Because you’re black”: Jason Whitlock fires back as Jemele Hill accuses Charlie Kirk of white supremacy on podcast

Jason Whitlock, the well-known American sports commentator, attacked former ESPN host Jemele Hill on Saturday, September 14, 2025, after she called Charlie Kirk a “white supremacist” during her podcast.

Hill made those remarks on her show Spolitics just two days after the tragic shooting of Kirk at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. Whitlock shared his response on X, saying Jemele Hill was not debating Charlie Kirk’s real points, but only reacting to her own feelings about him.

Jemele Hill sparks backlash with Charlie Kirk comments

Jemele Hill, a veteran journalist and former ESPN personality, spoke on her Spolitics podcast on Friday, September 12, 2025. She strongly opposed how people described Charlie Kirk after his death. Hill said she was “sick” of hearing that following Kirk’s political ideas was just a “difference of opinion.”She argued that Kirk’s ideas treated Black people unfairly, saying: “Oh, I think because you’re Black that you don’t deserve the same treatment. Uh-uh! Got to stop you right there.”

Jason Whitlock quickly fired back on X the next day. He claimed Jemele Hill never challenged Charlie Kirk’s actual arguments but only reacted to how his words made her feel. Jason Whitlock posted: “Jemele’s argument boils down to: I couldn’t intellectually compete with Charlie Kirk’s ideas, so I think he’s racist.

She never deals with what he argued. She dealt with how his arguments made her feel.” He ended his post by writing two sharp words: “Mental illness.”

Charlie Kirk shooting and Jemele Hill’s wider criticism of ESPN

While giving a speech at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. He passed away late that day. With many people posting passionate comments online, the shooting jolted the sports and political circles. Also Read: Patrick Mahomes Quiet After Charlie Kirk Shooting At Utah As Randi Mahomes And Tavia Hunt Speaks OutJemele Hill has also been in the news for her criticism of her former network, ESPN. She inquired last week why Stephen A. Smith was given political guests such as Ben Shapiro on his new podcast, Straight Shooter.Jemele Hill asked if ESPN would give the same space to liberal voices. Stephen A Smith did not reply and went on with his next show featuring former police officer Brandon Tatum.