ANALYSIS: The hidden toll of watching the Charlie Kirk shooting video: How disturbing content erodes your wellbeingWhen graphic videos go viral, like the recent fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, it can feel impossible to protect yourself from seeing things you did not consent to see. But there are steps you can take.Social media platforms are designed to maximize engagement, not protect your peace of mind.The major platforms have also reduced their content moderation efforts over the past year or so. That means upsetting content can reach you even when you never chose to watch it.You do not have to watch every piece of content that crosses your screen, however. Protecting your own mental state is not avoidance or denial.Oliver O’Connell13 September 2025 20:25Charlie Kirk’s widow vows to continue slain activist’s work“If you thought that my husband’s mission was powerful before, you have no idea,” Erika Kirk said. “You have no idea what you just have unleashed across this entire country.”Rhian Lubin has the story.Oliver O’Connell13 September 2025 20:10Plans for media ‘accountability’ ‘Charlie Kirk Act’ go viral on X after shootingPublic demand is surging to reinstate a Cold War-era media “accountability” law in response to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, with a petition calling for its revival gathering over 5,000 signatures in just 13 hours.In the wake of 31-year-old Kirk’s murder at Utah Valley University and the arrest of the suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, a groundswell of public demand has emerged to revive the Smith‑Mundt Act, a U.S. law once intended to limit the dissemination of propaganda, under a new name: the “Charlie Kirk Act.”Erin Keller has the details.Oliver O’Connell13 September 2025 19:55COMMENT: Trump’s reaction to Charlie Kirk’s assassination shows all of his worst traitsWas it murder or was it an assassination? We still don’t know the motive of the killer of the right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk. But let us assume that it was indeed politically motivated. In that context, the president was right to condemn in the most forthright terms this latest piece of political violence to roil the United States. It is a stain on democracy. Differences should be resolved at ballot boxes, not via a sniper rifle.But in his address from the White House, the president did not seek to reach out; he did nothing to calm tensions.Oliver O’Connell13 September 2025 19:40Amid criticism over Charlie Kirk shooter investigation, Trump says Kash Patel ‘has done a great job’“I am very proud of the FBI,” Trump told Fox News Digital. “Kash—and everyone else—they have done a great job.”Patel, a Trump loyalist with less experience than previous FBI directors, has faced criticism, including from the right, over his handling of the manhunt that ultimately captured suspect Tyler Robinson.Oliver O’Connell13 September 2025 19:30Robinson’s roommate handed over incriminating texts leading to his arrest, report saysAccording to reporting by The Daily Mail, the roommate who lived with Tyler Robinson, Charlie Kirk’s alleged assassin, handed over incriminating text messages to the police that led to his arrest.Lance Twiggs, described as “a 22-year-old wannabe professional gamer,” lived with Robinson in a three-bedroom apartment in Saint George, Utah.Per the Mail, Twiggs showed police texts from Robinson about stashing a gun linked to Wednesday’s shooting of the conservative activist at Utah Valley University (UVU), a law enforcement affidavit said.The affidavit does not accuse Twiggs of any involvement in the crime.His identity was revealed by the Mail as a separate report emerged from a Fox News reporter that Robinson was living with a “transgender partner” who is cooperating with the investigation. This has not been confirmed, but has been repeated on social media and by The New York Post.It is not clear if the person referenced in that report is Twiggs.Grandfather Jerry Twiggs told the Mail that he was unable to comment on those rumors, adding: “I’m not sure what his situation is exactly right now.”A motive for the shooting of Kirk has not been confirmed.Utah Governor Spencer Cox claimed in an interview with The Wall Street Journal that Robinson was “deeply indoctrinated with leftist ideology.”Oliver O’Connell13 September 2025 19:20Teachers, firefighters and other workers celebrated Charlie Kirk’s assassination. Now they could be looking for new jobsRepublicans are demanding action against people who reacted to his killing by “praising, rationalising, or making light” of it or by “belittling” Kirk’s memory.And Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that the Pentagon is “tracking closely” any civilian and military employees who celebrate the murder.Oliver O’Connell13 September 2025 19:10Details emerge about alleged Charlie Kirk assassin“We got him,” Cox said at a news conference to announce the arrest of Robinson who was taken into custody Thursday on suspicion of capital murder, weapons and obstruction offenses.Here’s everything we know…Oliver O’Connell13 September 2025 18:40Employers of Kirk critics hounded to fire themCalls to get people fired have flooded X. A newly registered site, “Expose Charlie’s Murderers,” lists 41 names of individuals it claims were “supporting political violence online” and says it is working on a backlog of over 20,000 submissions.A Reuters review of the screenshots and comments posted on the site shows that some of those featured joked about or celebrated Kirk’s death. One was quoted as saying, “He got what he deserved,” and others were quoted offering variations on “karma’s a bitch.”Others, however, criticized the far-right figure while explicitly condemning violence.Still, more seem to have done little more than point out that a longtime gun control opponent was shot to death. At least three accurately quoted Kirk’s 2023 comments, in which he told a crowd that some gun deaths were “worth it,” saying that the annual cycle of firearm-related killings in the United States was “a prudent deal” in exchange for the Constitution’s Second Amendment.One person featured on the site said their employer has been overwhelmed with phone calls, with callers threatening not to stop until they are fired or disciplined. The person said they plan to avoid the office in the coming days.To be very, very clear, I don’t condone the murder of Charlie Kirk,” the person told Reuters in a phone call, speaking on condition of anonymity to avoid further harassment. “But I do, at the same time, have to appreciate the irony of this situation,” they said, referring to Kirk being shot in the neck with a rifle after years of outspoken opposition to gun control.Reuters could not determine who manages the website. The site did not respond to inquiries about its ownership, methodology, or why quoting Kirk accurately might be considered “supporting political violence.”Squarespace, the site’s host, did not reply to messages from the news agency seeking comment.Jay Childers, an associate professor of communications at Kansas University, said there has been a long history of government officials and political elites trying to control rhetoric and suppress dissent.“I do not think this moment is really new in that sense,” he said, although he noted that “the ability for anyone to post their thoughts on the internet certainly makes far more people potential targets of any attempts to control political speech.”With reporting from ReutersOliver O’Connell13 September 2025 18:25Utah Gov. Spencer Cox’s emotional press conference hailed over calls for civility“This is not good for us, it is not good for us to consume,” he said. “I would encourage people to log off. Turn off. Touch grass. Hug a family member. Go out and do good in your community.”Cox’s delivery immediately received praise from Democrats.Oliver O’Connell13 September 2025 18:10
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Charlie Kirk’s widow vows to uphold his legacy as debate rages over suspect Tyler Robinson’s motive: Live updates
