Historian Eduardo Bueno Faces Backlash & Cancellations After Controversial Remarks on Charlie Kirk Shooting
Porto Alegre, Brazil – Historian Eduardo Bueno is at the center of a growing controversy following the release of a video appearing to celebrate the shooting of conservative American influencer charlie Kirk. The incident has led to the cancellation of scheduled appearances in Rio Grande do Sul adn the suspension of his podcast, “We in History.”
Kirk was shot in the neck on Wednesday (October 10th) while speaking at the University of Utah Valley. He underwent surgery and his death was later confirmed by former US President Donald Trump. A suspect was apprehended after a three-day manhunt,wiht police recovering a rifle near the university. Trump subsequently called for the submission of the death penalty in the case.
Bueno’s video, which sparked the outrage, prompted PUCRS (Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul) to cancel a scheduled event with the historian this Sunday (October 14th). The university stated the event was no longer being held due to the termination of the lease and clarified the activity was not part of its institutional programming. In a statement,PUCRS reaffirmed its commitment to freedom of expression but “repudiates any manifestation contrary to life and human dignity,” stating such views do not align with its values.
The “We in the History” podcast, where bueno had previously contributed over 100 videos, was also discontinued. Organizers announced the cancellation in a note stating, “In view of the last events, we decided to end the podcast ‘we in history. Thank you all who accompanied us here.” A planned conversation at Travessa Bookstore in Shopping Iguatemi, Porto Alegre, was also canceled after users on the bookstore’s Instagram page criticized what they perceived as an “endorsement” of bueno’s statements.
Bueno responded to the backlash on social media, claiming he was being “censored” and ironically asking, “But where is freedom of expression so defended by the far right? I’m being censored! I hope the US soon invades Brazil to defend me!” He clarified he did not delete the video and acknowledged the platform’s right to remove content.
In a subsequent video, Bueno admitted to “excesses and slips,” stating he respects PUCRS’s decision to cancel the event.
The incident has ignited a debate about freedom of speech and the boundaries of acceptable discourse, particularly in the wake of a violent event. Further updates will be provided as the situation develops.
Link to related article: Extreme Right influencer is shot during a US University speech
