President Joe Biden with Matt Harrington, who identifies as his cousin. Harrington has recently drawn attention for comments related to the online backlash surrounding the assassination of Charlie Kirk. | Facebook / Matt Harrington
President Joe Biden with Matt Harrington, who identifies as his cousin. Harrington has recently drawn attention for comments related to the online backlash surrounding the assassination of Charlie Kirk. | Facebook / Matt Harrington
Matt Harrington, an Aurora-based political activist and former candidate for alderman, is facing backlash after allegedly sending a threatening message to a Facebook group that has been documenting individuals who made controversial remarks following the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
The Facebook group, titled Liberals for the Unemployment Line 2026, posted a screenshot of the message it claims was written by Harrington.
“You are such a lying sack of shit.. I hope you get what charlie git [got] soon in Oak Brook..... I will share yhe [the] idea with some Westside homemies [homies],” the message posted by the group reads.
Harrington's alleged message to the Liberals for the Unemployment Line 2026 Facebook group.
| Facebook / Liberals for the unemployment line 2026
The group, which has been highlighting social media users making celebratory or inappropriate remarks about Kirk’s killing, responded with a public post referencing Harrington’s media work.
“Anyone ever seen the show it’s in my DNA?…..yeah neither have we but Matt Harrington of Aurora, IL claims to be a producer of it so let’s report his videos if we ever find them and say YOU’RE FIRED!!!!!!!!!” the group posted.
Harrington, a former candidate for Aurora alderman, has been described as an activist focused on violence prevention and Chicago politics, according to the Chicago Tribune.
He has described himself on X as “Illinois Activist of the Year - 2021” and has publicly claimed to be related to both former President Joe Biden and William Shakespeare.
His Facebook profile includes a photo of him with Biden in the Oval Office. However, claims of their relationship have not been independently verified.
Harrington is known for his advocacy through Lines4Lives, a campaign promoting serialized barcoding of ammunition. He reiterated that position while speaking at a Rainbow PUSH Coalition event earlier this year.
“Let’s track that back to the shooters and their suppliers,” a Facebook post promoting the reads.
Harrington’s alleged message to the Facebook group comes amid a wider surge in inflammatory online rhetoric following Kirk’s killing.
As news of Kirk’s assassination in Utah spread, a wave of social media posts, some mocking or appearing to celebrate the incident, drew widespread backlash. In several cases, individuals in media, aviation, education and public service have been suspended or terminated for related remarks.
Groups such as Liberals for the Unemployment Line 2026 have begun publicly identifying social media users they believe crossed ethical lines.
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