Platforms Remove Charlie Kirk Shooting Clips as Misinformation Spreads

Graphic videos of the shooting that killed conservative commentator Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10 spread across social media within minutes of the tragedy, drawing millions of views as shocked users scrolled, shared, and replayed the disturbing footage.

The content quickly appeared on major platforms including Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), and Truth Social where former President Donald Trump confirmed Kirk’s death. The spread has fueled growing debate about how tech companies handle violent content and whether current safeguards are enough to protect users.

Rep. Luna Pushes for Removal

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, a Republican from Florida and a close ally of Kirk, has publicly pressed social media firms to take down the videos.

I have just received word from TikTok that they will be removing the horrific videos of Charlie’s final moments.

Luna posted on X on Sept. 11. She added that she also urged the company to remove content using the tragedy to incite violence against others.

Luna later said that “full cooperation” has come from every company she contacted, including Roblox, Reddit, and Bluesky. She framed the move as not only a matter of respect for Kirk’s family but also a necessary step to prevent harmful misuse of the footage.

Platforms Respond

A TikTok spokesperson, Jamie Favazza, issued a statement hours before Luna’s post, calling the incident “an assassination” and saying the company had activated “additional safeguards to prevent people from unexpectedly viewing footage that violates our rules”.

“These horrific violent acts have no place in our society,” Favazza said.

Other platforms also confirmed action:

• Reddit began removing content “immediately following the incident” and not specifically in response to Luna’s request.

• Roblox reported its moderation team had removed more than 100 pieces of content linked to the shooting.

• Bluesky said it suspended accounts crossing the line and removed graphic footage of the event.

• YouTube stated it would delete “graphic content” of Kirk’s death when lacking context while continuing to monitor the situation.

• Discord confirmed it was proactively blocking uploads and removing content that violated policy.

• Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, said it has applied warning labels, restricted footage to 18+ users, and is removing any content glorifying the attack or its perpetrator.

• X, where videos of the attack have circulated widely, did not respond to requests for comment.

Rumors and Conspiracy Theories Spread

Even as platforms worked to remove violent clips, another digital battle unfolded: misinformation. According to Reuters, false headlines, misidentified suspects, and recycled videos from unrelated crimes quickly circulated in the hours after the shooting.

One video wrongly claimed that a Black man had been arrested for Kirk’s killing—when in fact, the footage was months old and from an unrelated police case in California. Another viral clip, showing a casino shooting in Nevada, was mislabeled as footage of Kirk’s shooter.

Some online posts also pushed baseless claims suggesting the shooter was transgender, using stolen photos of unrelated individuals. One woman from Washington state, whose image was circulated without consent, told Reuters she was in Seattle at the time and had no connection to the case.

Authorities have not confirmed details about the suspect’s identity, but the swirl of conspiracy theories has already muddied public understanding of the tragedy.

A Familiar Challenge for Tech Firms

The struggle to contain graphic material and misinformation highlights the fragmented standards across platforms. Some companies remove violent footage outright, while others restrict it with warning labels or require contextual framing. Critics argue that the patchwork approach creates confusion and exposes millions to harmful material before companies react.

For lawmakers like Luna, the incident highlights the urgent need for consistent rules around violent content. Her push reflects growing concern among conservatives and liberals alike that tragedies are being turned into viral spectacles in real time.

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