Fox News host Brian Kilmeade called for the execution of mentally ill homeless people during a morning show and suggested "forced lethal injection" as a solution for those who refuse government assistance.
Brian Kilmeade endorses euthanizing homeless people: "Involuntary lethal injection, or something. Just kill them." pic.twitter.com/on5NMereZQ
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 13, 2025
The comments arose during a discussion about the brutal murder that is shocking the United States. A 34-year-old homeless man murdered 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee who fled from her country, on a light rail ride in Charlotte. In the video, he is seen walking around the train car, while other passengers notice blood dripping from him. Zarutska, who held her neck while blood spilled onto the train floor, collapsed in her seat and died on the train.
The exchange on Fox News began when the hosts discussed the killer's extensive criminal history and the homeless crisis in the United States.
Co-host Lawrence Jones argued for eliminating the option to choose treatment options, stating, "This is happening across the country, and it's not a money problem. We've given billions of dollars to mental health and the homeless population. Many of them don't want to take the programs, many of them don't want to get the necessary help. You can't give them a choice. Either you take the resources we're going to give you, or you decide you're going to be locked up in prison. That's how it has to be now." Kilmeade then interjected and said, "Or forced lethal injection, or something. Just kill them."
Co-host Ainsley Earhardt did not express opposition to the statement, instead asking: "Yes, Brian, why has it come to this point?"
California Governor Gavin Newsom responded to the Fox News exchange with a biblical verse: "Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered."
