Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s daughter, WWE wrestler Ava Raine (Simone Garcia Johnson), is facing backlash after posting about Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
Raine shared a quote from comedian Gianmarco Soresi: “If you want people to have kind words when you pass, you should say kind things when you’re alive.” Though she didn’t name Kirk, the post came the same day he was fatally shot. She later added on Twitter: “And i’ll stand behind this. be kind, now more than ever.”
The response online was swift. One critic wrote: “Be kind or get assassinated?? I’m sure you’ve said something unkind I know your dad has what an idiotic statement.” Another asked: “@WWE @TKOGrp does tko and wwe stand behind this?” Some fans even shared memes mocking her, while others demanded WWE take action.
Raine isn’t alone in controversy. The Carolina Panthers fired staffer Charlie Rock over an “insensitive social media post,” and MSNBC cut ties with analyst Matthew Dowd after he said Kirk’s divisive rhetoric contributed to a violent “environment.” MSNBC later apologized, calling his remarks “inappropriate, insensitive and unacceptable.”
Kirk, 31, was shot in the neck while answering questions on gun violence at Utah Valley University. He is survived by his wife, Erika, and two young children.