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Utah authorities apprehended 22-year-old Tyler Robinson in connection with the shooting of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, effectively dispelling rumors linking Kirk’s assailant to transgender identity. Following the shooting, right-wing social media users speculated that the shooter was transgender, propelled by unverified claims from commentators like Steven Crowder, who asserted that the assailant’s ammunition bore pro-transgender messages. This narrative rapidly spread to significant media outlets, including a Wall Street Journal article citing an “internal bulletin” suggesting the shooter’s connection to “transgender ideology.”
Despite these claims, by September 12, it was confirmed that Robinson, who was not identified as transgender, had inscriptions on the ammunition that did not reference trans topics. The reporting’s quick escalation demonstrated a pattern where anti-trans narratives were prioritized over factual verification.
Public figures, including Rep. Nancy Mace, made inflammatory comments, later followed by a retraction from the Wall Street Journal acknowledging there were no transgender references on the ammunition. The Human Rights Campaign condemned the initial reporting, emphasizing the threat these narratives posed to the trans community. Experts noted that “transgender ideology” has been weaponized in political rhetoric against trans rights, increasing fear and anxiety within the community. Overall, this incident highlighted the dangers of misinformation and its impact on marginalized groups, emphasizing the need for responsible journalism.
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It’s Never Too Soon For the Right to Blame Trans People
