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Internet reaction to Henry Kissinger's death amplifies the polarizing effect on America's most (in)famous secretary of state

Henry Kissinger died at the age of 100 in Connecticut

KENT, CONNECTICUT: Henry Kissinger, the diplomatic powerhouse died at his home in Kent, Connecticut, on November 29, 2023, at the age of 100, according to a statement from his geopolitical consulting firm, Kissinger Associates Inc, Reuters reported.

No mention has been made so far of the circumstances of his death. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Maginnes Kissinger, two children, David and Elizabeth, and five grandchildren.

The former Secretary of State left an indelible mark on US Foreign Policy for decades, earning him a controversial Nobel Peace Prize in 1973 and cementing his reputation as a ‘war criminal’ in the minds of many due to his role in bombing Cambodia, and destabilizing Chile with a coup in the 1970s.

Henry Kissinger’s controversial legacy 

Kissinger was hailed by many for his brilliance and broad experience but others branded him a war criminal for his support for anti-communist dictatorships, especially in Latin America, Reuters reported. 

Henry Kissinger was born in Furth, Germany, on May 27, 1923, and moved to the United States with his family in 1938 before the Nazi campaign to exterminate European Jewry.

He became a naturalized US citizen in 1943, served in the Army in Europe in World War II, and attended Harvard University on a scholarship, earning a master's degree in 1952 and a doctorate in 1954. 

However, in 1970 he plotted with the CIA on how best to destabilize and overthrow the Marxist but democratically elected Chilean President Salvador Allende.

He was also the National Security Advisor when the US secretly bombed Cambodia to clear North Vietnamese and Viet Cong staging areas. 

All this had tanked Kissinger’s reputation to that of a ‘war criminal.’ After the news of his death came out, many took to X (formerly Twitter) to question Kissinger’s legacy and called him out for all the war crimes he committed.

Internet calls Henry Kissinger a 'war criminal'

Many were aware that the media would want to whitewash Kissinger’s legacy but they anyway came forward to throw light on Kissinger’s war crime legacy.

One user said, “He was a master of diplomacy, but also a war criminal. Rest in peace or pieces?” while a second shared Anthony Bourdain’s quote on Kissinger and wrote, “"Once you've been to Cambodia, you'll never stop wanting to beat Henry Kissinger to death with your bare hands" —Anthony Bourdain”

A third simply stated, “Henry Kissinger was a war criminal” 

A fourth tweeted, “A reminder that Henry Kissinger is owed absolutely zero grace or kindness when he dies. He is a war criminal with the blood of MILLIONS on his hands. A man responsible for destabilizing countries all over the world. He is an unrepentant monster.”

A user said, “My favorite headline on Henry Kissinger's death so far: "Henry Kissinger, War Criminal Beloved by America's Ruling Class, Finally Dies." Bravo, Rolling Stone. This is exactly how you do it & describes Henry Kissinger's legacy perfectly. More of this.”

Another corrected, “CNN right now is talking about Henry Kissinger's legacy. He's a war criminal. That's his legacy.”

A user reminds everyone, “Neither tyranny nor tyrant will live forever. Henry Kissinger oversaw countless massacres in Argentina, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Chile, East Timor. To all the victims, the war criminal is gone”

An angry user wrote, “I don't wish death on anyone, even evil people, but I also don't see any need to lie about powerful people after they die. Henry Kissinger was a war criminal and human rights violator who evaded justice.”