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This marks a harsh week across the nation, and many are wondering if the country can escape this cycle of hatred and violence.

After a deeply shocking political killings in American history, the governor of Utah pleaded for citizens to turn down the rhetorical heat.

But, few people believes that is the route the nation will choose—not anytime soon.

The past few decades is full of examples where America has chosen not to come together in the aftermath of a tragedy. It didn't happen over a decade past after a left-leaning elected official was targeted in the head, nor several years back when a right-leaning congressman was shot while at a team rehearsal.

Americans didn't even unify during a global pandemic. Actually, Covid exacerbated divisions worse.

Within days Charlie Kirk's death, the nation’s political camps returned to conflicting narratives.

This dynamic is simple, but difficult to alter. The incentives that fuel the US political system benefit individuals and media that escalate tensions, not those who dial tensions down.

Nationwide, one is more likely to win office if you run on platforms and language that resonate with your core supporters, rather than the political middle.

Equally, across news outlets, commentators who opine about politics are compensated for adopting radical views and provoking anger—this is the method to attract more eyeballs and, ultimately, more advertising dollars.

These systemic rewards is what makes Utah Governor Spencer Cox something like an rare figure.

After Charlie Kirk was killed, he called on the public to "log off, turn off, get outside, hug a family member, go out and do good locally."

He sounded so sane, refreshingly positive—an effort, amid division, toward healing.

The 1960s and 70s versus Today

Political strife and ideologically motivated attacks have long existed in America. Approximately 160 years ago, the nation went to war with itself and has never really stopped.

Over a period of a short span in the 1960s, a national leader was killed followed by his sibling met the same fate while campaigning to become president. Around that time, two of the nation's most prominent civil rights leaders were assassinated too.

During the next decade, Head of State Gerald Ford was shot at on two separate occasions. In the 1980s, Ronald Reagan was shot on his way to his limousine.

And of course, just last year Trump was the victim of a unsuccessful attack against him by a gunman in Pennsylvania—plus another reported incident by a gunman elsewhere, with legal proceedings commenced the same period Kirk was killed.

What makes this era from the 1960s and 70s, however, is what Governor Cox is concerned with.

While he has carefully steered away from saying remarks that would deepen splits among the public, he hasn't been so gentle with the social media companies that he clearly blames for this tragedy.

"In my view that digital platforms has played a direct role in every single assassination and assassination attempt that we witnessed during the past several years," the governor stated in an interview.

He added that "cancer" was probably an insufficient a word for what it has done on the nation’s fabric.

Large platforms have stayed quiet publicly. Yet, a prominent billionaire, owner of a social network, has weighed in, stating that the "left-wing extremists celebrated the killing of the activist," further noting, "coming together is unattainable with evil fanatics who condone violence."

Additionally, he argued about the impact of online discourse, saying: "Although occasionally the discussion on X turns negative, it is beneficial that there is a dialogue taking place."

'Comparing It to a Troubled Relationship'

The dangers of this system that blends digital communication with governance worries including those who are the most passionate regarding public affairs, irrespective of who they support.

Earlier this week, a young organizer, a 19-year-old serving as the president of a local branch of Charlie Kirk's organisation, a conservative network, put it plainly: "Social media are definitely a really difficult thing for our society.

"It is nearly impossible to engage in dialogue with somebody holding opposing views with your political beliefs—and I just think that's honestly tragic."

Unfortunate and paradoxical, since Kirk saw himself as a advocate of open discourse, even as his detractors often disagreed with that framing. The loss, though, could drive the nation away from respectful debate.

Within days Kirk's death, the nation’s political camps resumed opposing narratives.

Many on the left are eager to explore the means that Kirk's killer was potentially radicalised by online groups and digital forums. Conservatives tend to examine if the individual was involved in a progressive plot.

No side seems particularly keen to prioritise healing or healing.

In truth, experts in radicalization believe that partisan may not even be the most useful way to analyze the split of the present.

"More productive to look at what's causing people to be unruly," says an analyst, a researcher at the a think tank focusing on global stability with expertise in divided nations.

"It does take a desire to reduce the hostility… and requires leaders to have a bit more bravery than they're showing.

"In my opinion it is more useful to focus on ways for the public turn a page and open a new chapter, because the situation resembles a dysfunctional relationship. And like a such partnerships, you can only lose by assigning blame."

The Requirements for Reconciliation Would Take

As for the issue of whether America can break the hold of the digital systems that fuel the rifts, that would take a leader of enormous strength with an similarly deep commitment to reconciliation.

"It is unclear how we pull out of this situation," a politics writer told me. "Progress would require if all sides—and by parties I mean 'factions' beyond elected officials—agree to stop the recriminations and just say 'enough'."

"Typically only a president can enable such change. Without both sides consenting that certain lines that shouldn't be crossed, or lacking the next president taking action, it is doubtful how we get there."

The former president is not that type of president. He often seems at his strongest, politically, when he has an opponent to fight against.

My understanding is that Trump maintains that opponents want to destroy his political base. Following Kirk's death, his tone has been a very different approach compared to the governor of Utah.

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