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By Gabe Whisnant
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TikTok is removing videos that depict the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Republican Representative Anna Paulina Luna of Florida said Thursday.
On Wednesday, Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, was fatally shot at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.
Graphic footage of the shooting spread online within minutes, circulating from multiple angles in real time and slow motion. Millions quickly viewed the videos, which were readily accessible on X, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and even on Truth Social, where President Donald Trump confirmed the conservative activist's death.
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On X, one video captured the moment Kirk was shot, showing his body jolted as blood spilled from a wound. Another clip, edited into a loop, replayed the instant of impact in slow motion but cut off before the blood appeared. A third video, filmed from Kirk's left side, included audio suggesting he was speaking about gun violence at the time of the attack.
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Additional platforms, including Bluesky and Discord, have said they are monitoring uploads for videos of Wednesday's shooting that violate policy.
The rapid spread underscored how social media has eroded the traditional gatekeeping role once held by news organizations.
Kirk Shooting Videos To Be Removed From TikTok
"I have just received word from TikTok that they will be removing the horrific videos of Charlie Kirk's final moments," Luna posted on X. "Thank you, TikTok. I have also asked them to take down content that uses this horrific incident to incite violence against others."
When reached for comment by Newsweek via email, TikTok shared a statement from spokesperson Jamie Favazza that was posted at 5 a.m. Thursday: "We are saddened by the assassination of Charlie Kirk and send our deepest condolences to his wife Erika, their two young children, and their family and friends. These horrific violent acts have no place in our society. We remain committed to proactively enforcing our Community Guidelines and have implemented additional safeguards to prevent people from unexpectedly viewing footage that violates our rules."
In a follow-up post, Luna said: "There has been full cooperation with every company I've been able to contact so far regarding implementing their social media policies and terms and condition conditions regarding the gross exploitation of the assassination of Charlie Kirk as well as inciting violence of other conservative leaders and POTUS. TY to Tik Tok, ROBLOX, the FCC, and others working to exercise dignity and respect at this time."
Newsweek has reached out to Luna's office via email on Thursday afternoon for comment. Newsweek has also reached out to X and Meta regarding their policies.
Are YouTube, Meta and X Removing Videos?
YouTube said it was removing "some graphic content" from the shooting if videos lacked sufficient context, while also restricting access so they could not be viewed by users under 18 or those not signed in.
"Our hearts are with Charlie Kirk's family following his tragic death," the company said in a statement. "We are closely monitoring our platform and prominently elevating news content on the homepage, in search and in recommendations to help people stay informed."
Meta, the parent of Facebook, Instagram and Threads, allows videos of the incident to be posted but applies warning labels and blocks them from accounts registered to users under 18.
Meta spokesperson Francis Brennan told The Verge: "By doing so, we aim to provide an appropriate user experience, while continuing to provide space for our users to express themselves."
Bluesky told The Verge that posts glorifying violence violate its community guidelines and would be removed. Reddit told the outlet that the platform's rules prohibit encouraging or celebrating violence. A spokesperson said the company is monitoring for violating content, using hashing to block re-uploads, and working with moderators to enforce Reddit's rules and code of conduct.
A Discord spokesperson told The Verge that the platform's guidelines bar content that glorifies or promotes violence. Discord is actively removing videos and other material tied to the incident that violate its policies, adding that the company is "committed to keeping Discord a positive and welcoming space."
Kirk Shooting Suspect's Photo Released By FBI
The FBI has released surveillance-style images of a person of interest in the shooting. The person captured in the photos is described as wearing dark sunglasses, a baseball cap, a long-sleeved black shirt emblazoned with an American flag motif, and jeans.
Authorities say the suspect appears to be of college age and blended in with the crowd before fleeing through a wooded area near the campus. The FBI is appealing to the public for tips, offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the identification or arrest of the individual responsible.
Why Was Kirk on the UVU Campus?
Kirk was on the Utah Valley University campus to speak at the first stop of his "American Comeback Tour," hosted by his organization, Turning Point USA. The outdoor event, billed as a "Prove Me Wrong" session, was designed to foster public debate and discussion, drawing a crowd of about 3,000 attendees who gathered to hear him address current political issues.
Update 9/11/25, 3:10 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information.
Update 9/11/25, 4:13 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information and remarks.
Update 9/11/25, 5:37 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information and remarks.
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