Footage of Pro-Trump Youth Activist's Killing Spreads on Social Media... "Will Impact U.S. Politics"

Charlie Kirk, a Close Associate of Trump
Shot and Killed During Public Event

Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old right-wing youth activist in the United States, was shot and killed during an event, and related footage is rapidly spreading across social media platforms, causing shock.

According to the New York Times, AP News Agency, and other sources, Kirk was shot during a debate held at Utah Valley University in Utah on the 10th (local time). Within minutes, video footage of the incident appeared on X (formerly Twitter). The video, filmed in high resolution, clearly shows the fatal injury to Kirk's neck.

Starting with X, the footage spread to various platforms including Instagram, Threads, YouTube, and Telegram. Some versions were re-edited with added graphic effects. After the shooting, some social media platforms attempted to delete the video in question, but were unable to remove it entirely.

Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, is speaking to supporters of President Donald Trump at a rally held outside the Maricopa County Election Office in Phoenix, Arizona, on November 6, 2020. Photo by AP News Agency

On Instagram and Threads, some videos were labeled with a "sensitive content" warning, but others were exposed without any warning at all. YouTube also deleted some videos, but similar footage continued to be re-uploaded and kept spreading.

On X, accounts that mainly provide news curation and recommendation services shared the video. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and owner of X, appeared to have seen some of the footage and posted, "The wound looks serious, but I hope Charlie survives somehow." In response, hundreds of X users commented on Musk's post, requesting that the related videos be removed. They appealed for consideration of Kirk's bereaved family, saying, "Kirk's young children might see this someday."

Emerson Brooking, a researcher at the Digital Forensic Research Lab under the Atlantic Council, stated, "This is the first time that such a well-known figure has been killed in a public setting and the footage of the incident has spread so widely." He added, "Unfortunately, this will remain a viral moment with enormous reach and will have a long-lasting impact on American politics and civil life."

Meanwhile, Kirk founded Turning Point USA in 2012 at the age of 18, together with William Montgomery, a Tea Party activist. After Donald Trump secured the Republican presidential nomination in 2016, Kirk became an enthusiastic supporter. He also served as a personal aide to Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of President Trump.