After Years of Criticizing the Left, Conservative Figures Emphasize Racial Narrative in Ukrainian Refugee’s Tragic Death

September 9, 2025

CHARLOTTE, NC – The tragic stabbing death of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on a Charlotte light rail train has sparked a heated debate, with some conservative commentators and media outlets accused of hypocrisy for emphasizing racial motives in the attack after years of criticizing the political left for similar tactics. The incident, which occurred in late August 2025, has become a flashpoint in discussions about crime, race, and media narratives, revealing what some critics call a selective outrage from the so-called “woke-right.”

Zarutska, a young woman who fled war-torn Ukraine to seek safety in the United States, was fatally stabbed in the throat while riding a light rail train in Charlotte. The suspect, a Black male, was arrested shortly after the incident, and audio evidence reportedly captured him making racially charged statements, including bragging about targeting Zarutska because she was white. The case quickly gained national attention, with disturbing video footage of Zarutska’s final moments amplifying public outrage.

For years, conservative commentators have criticized progressive activists and media for what they term “playing the race card”—emphasizing racial motives in incidents to advance a political agenda or inflame divisions. However, in the wake of Zarutska’s death, several prominent right-leaning figures and outlets have been accused of employing similar tactics, framing the attack as a racially motivated hate crime to highlight broader issues of crime and immigration.

One notable instance came from conservative commentator Ben Shapiro, who slammed mainstream media for allegedly ignoring Zarutska’s murder because it did not fit their “preferred narrative” of racial dynamics. Shapiro suggested the incident was indicative of broader societal issues, pointing to the suspect’s reported racial comments as evidence of a hate crime against a white victim. Critics argue this mirrors the left’s tendency to highlight race in high-profile cases, a practice Shapiro and others have long decried.

Similarly, posts on X from influential conservative accounts have amplified the racial angle. One widely shared post claimed the suspect’s actions were driven by anti-white sentiment, drawing thousands of likes and retweets. The post linked the incident to broader narratives about crime rates among certain demographics, echoing rhetoric often criticized when used by progressive outlets in reverse contexts. Another X post from a prominent right-leaning account explicitly called the stabbing a “racist attack,” urging followers to demand justice for Zarutska as a victim of racial violence.

The irony has not gone unnoticed. Political analyst Dr. Sarah Linden, a professor at UNC Charlotte, noted, “For years, the right has accused the left of exploiting racial narratives to push divisive agendas. Now, we see some of the same figures using Zarutska’s tragic death to advance their own narrative about race and crime. It’s a clear double standard.” Linden pointed to past conservative critiques of cases like the Trayvon Martin shooting, where the right argued against overemphasizing racial motives without conclusive evidence.

Meanwhile, some voices on the left have pushed back against the right’s framing. A CNN panel discussion, for instance, featured commentator Van Jones questioning whether Zarutska’s race was definitively the motive, cautioning against rushing to label the attack as racially driven without a full investigation. This sparked further backlash from conservative X users, who accused Jones and CNN of downplaying the incident to avoid uncomfortable truths about crime in urban areas.

The controversy has also drawn comparisons to other recent incidents where race became a focal point. For example, posts on X have referenced a case in Dundee, where a young girl was involved in a confrontation with an alleged migrant, with some conservative accounts framing it as evidence of racial tensions. Similarly, a Minneapolis shooting at a Catholic school prompted conservative outrage over perceived leniency toward a trans-identifying suspect, with race and identity politics intertwined in the discourse.

Critics argue that the right’s focus on Zarutska’s case as a racial hate crime risks undermining their long-standing calls for colorblind justice. “If you criticize the left for making everything about race, you can’t turn around and do the same when it suits your narrative,” said political commentator Marcus Tate. “It’s not about denying the suspect’s reported statements—it’s about consistency. Either race is always central, or it’s not.”

As Charlotte mourns Zarutska’s death, the city braces for further debate. Community leaders have called for unity, urging residents to focus on justice for the victim rather than divisive rhetoric. The suspect remains in custody, with prosecutors indicating that hate crime charges are under consideration pending further investigation. Meanwhile, the national conversation over race, crime, and media bias shows no signs of abating, with both sides accusing the other of exploiting a young woman’s tragedy for political gain.