Brian Stelter says response to Iryna Zarutska's murder is 'racist,' MAGA using stabbing as a 'political symbol'

In the wake of President Donald Trump weighing in on the murder of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska, CNN Chief Media Analyst Brian Stelter claimed that the young woman’s murder has become a "political symbol" for the MAGA movement and that comments surrounding the story have been "baldly racist."

Stelter was asked why the murder, which occurred in August, began getting traction over the past few days. "Most murders in the US never become national news. This one’s garnered attention for a couple of reasons," he said.

Stelter noted the gruesome footage released over the weekend showing the killing, with suspect Decarlos Brown Jr being seen stabbing Zarutska in the neck as she sat in front of him on a Charlotte, North Carolina light rail train. "Number one, first and foremost, the recent release of that gruesome video.”
 

Brian Stelter complains that the murder of Iryna Zarutska is "being used ... as a political symbol with MAGA media calling for more forceful punishments, and more incarceration." pic.twitter.com/JeWRTJNR9b

— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) September 8, 2025