By Elizabeth Faragi

False and misleading claims about the suspect and what really happened have pervaded social media since the assassination of Charlie Kirk on Sept. 10. 

Kirk, a right-wing political activist and CEO of Turning Point USA, was killed in a shooting at Utah Valley University during one of his events. This was the first stop on his “American Comeback” tour of college campuses in the U.S., where he debated and spoke to students about his political activism. The suspect, Tyler Robinson, 22, of Utah, was taken into custody Sept. 12.

Following the shooting, many claims were made on social media and have since been proven incorrect or misleading. Let’s look at the facts. 

Claim: The suspect is part of a specific political party.

Users on social media claimed different things regarding the political affiliation of the shooter. President Donald Trump said in an interview with NBC News, “We’re dealing with a radical left group of lunatics, and they don’t play fair and they never did.” This is false. According to Utah state records, Robinson is registered as unaffiliated, and his voter status is inactive, as he has not voted in the last two general elections. 

Claim: The suspect is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America. 

A Facebook user shared a video of a DSA event with the caption “Tyler Robinson speaking at an event in Salt Lake City for the Democratic Socialists of America.” This led users to believe that Robinson is a liberal. This is false. Priscilla Yeverino, spokesperson for DSA, confirmed that the group has no members named Tyler Robinson anywhere in the country. 

Claim: Kirk’s family was present at the event and witnessed the shooting.

Many posts on Instagram, TikTok and X claimed that Kirk’s wife and children were present at the event. Other social media posts claimed that Kirk’s daughter ran to him after he was shot because she was scared. This is false. There is no photo evidence of any of Kirk’s family being at the event. Erika Kirk, Kirk’s wife, said in a statement Sept. 12 that when she arrived home the day of the shooting, her 3-year-old daughter asked, “Where’s Daddy?” which many interpreted as the family not being present.  

Claim: Democrats opposed a moment of prayer for Kirk in the House on Sept. 10. 

Clips of the House of Representatives circulated on the internet showing shouting in protest of a moment of prayer for Kirk. The clip showed Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Col) asking for a spoken prayer, followed by shouting and a call for order by Speaker Mike Johnson. This is misleading. Johnson had held a moment of silence for Kirk before the disruption and, when calling for order, said, “We will join for prayer right after this.” The clips claiming that Democrats opposed a prayer omitted the moment of silence and Johnson’s response. 

All the false claims:
 

Social media users claimed the suspect was either a liberal or a conservative, depending on their own viewpoints (even Trump claimed he was a leftist).

Truth: According to Utah State Records, the suspect is registered as unaffiliated, and his voter status is inactive, as he has not voted in the last two general elections. (AP News) 

President Trump: “I’d like to see it [the nation] heal, but we’re dealing with a radical left group of lunatics, and they don’t play fair and they never did.” (In an interview with NBC News.) 

Claim: The suspect is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America and spoke at an event.

A Facebook user claimed that the suspect spoke at an event.

Priscilla Yeverino, spokesperson for the group, confirmed that “we have no members in DSA named Tyler Robinson anywhere in the country.” (AP News) 

Claim: Kirk’s wife and children were at the event, and his daughter ran to him after he was shot because she was scared.

TikTok users claimed that his family was at the event when he was killed. 

This is wrong. His wife, in her statement on Sept. 12, explained that she found out through social media and how she told her 3-year-old. 

“When I got home last night, Gigi, our daughter, just ran into my arms. And I talked to her, and she said, ‘Mommy, I missed you.’ I said, ‘I miss you, too, baby.’ She goes, ‘Where’s Daddy?’ What do you tell a three-year-old? Three. I said, ‘Baby, Daddy loves you so much. Don’t you worry. He’s on a work trip with Jesus so he can afford your blueberry budget.’”

Claim: Democrats in the House on Sept. 10 opposed a moment of prayer for Kirk.

Clips of the House shouting and protesting a spoken prayer for Kirk circulated.

This is misleading. A silent prayer was held at the request of Speaker Mike Johnson. Lauren Boebert requested a spoken prayer, and shouting erupted, to which Johnson responded by banging his gavel and calling for order. He also said, “We will join for prayer right after this, OK?” 

Featured Image Caption: United States flag waving on campus. Photo by Christian Lee