As tens of thousands mourned and Charlie’s widow said she forgave the shooter, Boss Hogg put a different spin on the tragedy, broadly blaming ‘the left’, as if it was a well planned conspiracy, rather than a disturbed, intelligent young man with a gay lover.

 “I hate my opponent,” Mr. Trump told the crowd at the memorial in Arizona, “and I don’t want the best for them.”

Mr. Trump has used the full might of his political and executive power to express that mind-set in myriad ways, sparing no facet of American life. He has attacked law firms, universities, political leaders, government agencies, late-night TV hosts, news organizations and cultural institutions, and Mr. Kirk’s killing has only accelerated that campaign. Mr. Trump and his top advisers have signaled a broad crackdown on liberal groups, making the baseless argument that they are part of a violent conspiracy.