On Thursday, Bruski cautioned users that celebrating the assassination of Charlie Kirk breached the platform’s guidelines, following numerous posts commending the murder of the conservative activist during an event at the University of Utah.
“Celebrating violence and harm is against Blueski’s community standards,” the company stated.
“We actively review reports and take necessary actions against harmful content.”
Kirk, 31, who founded Turning Point USA and was a close ally to President Donald Trump, was shot in the head while addressing an audience under a tent at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.
Authorities disclosed that the gunman had fired from the rooftop overlooking the gathering.
Kirk collapsed and was pronounced dead later at the hospital.
This assassination sent shockwaves through conservative communities. However, within hours, social media platforms were inundated with congratulatory messages from critics.
After the 2024 election, Bluesky, which gained popularity as a rival to Elon Musk’s X, took swift action to warn its users.
Bluesky’s decentralized moderation and customizable feed attracted progressive users fleeing X, but critics argue it has turned into an ideological echo chamber.
Despite its rapid expansion, analysts express concern that its strong partisan stance could hinder broader appeal unless it attracts a more varied user demographic.
The platform’s response highlights the growing difficulty social media companies face in balancing free speech with the prohibition of violent rhetoric.
Following Kirk’s assassination, Democratic politicians and liberal critics ignited backlash with their comments.
Other platforms like Meta, Reddit, Discord, and YouTube have implemented restrictions on content related to the murder as well.
According to a Reddit spokesperson, the platform’s policies outright ban the encouragement or glorification of violence.
The spokesperson noted that moderators have been directed to delete posts that celebrate Kirk’s death.
A Meta spokesperson mentioned that the platform is working to limit “the most graphic content” associated with the incident while adding warning labels to sensitive videos and restricting access to younger users.
Discord also stated it’s actively removing videos and other content violating its policies while emphasizing that praising violence is not acceptable.
YouTube representatives said the platform was focused on news coverage while also removing graphic clips and other harmful content.
Videos of the assassination spread rapidly across various platforms, showing Kirk throwing his hat to the audience before collapsing from a gunshot wound.
While most mainstream outlets refrained from airing the shocking events, raw footage circulated widely, prompting moderators to take rapid action to contain it.
Authorities described the shooter as dressed in dark clothing, who fired a single shot from a rooftop before fleeing the scene.
FBI director Kash Patel reported that one individual was taken into custody following the attack but was later released. Another person was also questioned and let go. Patel mentioned investigators were examining “multiple active crime scenes.”
Kirk’s death was confirmed by Trump, who remarked on how exemplary Kirk’s understanding of American youth was.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez expressed her alarm, stating, “This is frightening. The assassination of Charlie Kirk contributes to a dangerous political climate in America.”
Kirk, who established Turning Point USA in 2012, gained national attention through his combative speeches at universities and frequent appearances on Fox News. He was known for his opposition to various programs and his advocacy for firearm ownership.
Investigators are treating Kirk’s assassination as a politically motivated crime.
This incident drew parallels to a July 2024 attempt on Trump’s life during a rally in Pennsylvania, where shots were fired, resulting in casualties.
At Utah Valley University, Police Chief Jeff Long noted the presence of six officers and Kirk’s private security during the shooting.
“You want to cover all bases, but unfortunately, we didn’t today,” Long stated.
About 3,000 attendees were present.
Turning Point USA announced plans for a memorial rally in Phoenix, stating, “Charlie embodied freedom.”
No details about funeral arrangements have been shared yet.
The shooter remains at large as federal, state, and local agencies collaborate on reviewing security footage and canvassing the area around the university.
