Social media platform BlueSky has issued a warning to users after some accounts celebrated the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. The 31-year-old Turning Point USA founder was shot and killed on Wednesday during a speaking event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.
Kirk was speaking to a crowd of about 3,000 people when a single gunshot fired from approximately 200 yards away struck him in the neck. He was quickly taken to a hospital where he was later pronounced dead. The shooter remains at large despite an ongoing federal investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies.
According to Newsweek, BlueSky responded to the situation with a statement saying, “Glorifying violence or harm violates BlueSky’s Community Guidelines. We review reports and take action on content that celebrates harm against anyone. Violence has no place in healthy public discourse, and we’re committed to fostering healthy, open conversations.”
Social media platforms struggle with violent content
The assassination has prompted responses from multiple social media platforms beyond BlueSky. Reddit and Meta have also issued similar warnings about content that celebrates violence. Reddit spokesperson Gina Antonini told The Verge that their sitewide rules prohibit encouraging, glorifying, inciting, or calling for violence.
Platforms have also introduced measures to restrict graphic video content of Kirk’s death, which appeared online almost immediately after the shooting and spread rapidly across multiple social networks. The incident has highlighted ongoing challenges social media companies face in moderating content related to political violence.
Several posts on BlueSky were documented celebrating Kirk’s death, with some users making references to his previous advocacy for gun rights. The content has drawn criticism from across the political spectrum, with many calling for unity and condemning violence regardless of political affiliation.
The fallout from the shooting has extended to traditional media as well. MSNBC fired political analyst Matthew Dowd after he made comments during the network’s coverage that were deemed inappropriate. During the broadcast, Dowd suggested Kirk’s “hateful words” could lead to “hateful actions” and speculated the shooting might have been “a supporter shooting their gun off in celebration.”
MSNBC President Rebecca Kutler issued a statement calling Dowd’s comments “inappropriate, insensitive and unacceptable.” The network apologized for the statements and confirmed Dowd would no longer appear on their programming. This incident demonstrates how quickly public figures can face consequences for their responses to political violence.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox called the shooting a “political assassination” and vowed that law enforcement would find the perpetrator. The investigation continues with multiple active crime scenes as authorities work to identify and capture the shooter.
Published: Sep 11, 2025 12:40 pm