Utah Governor Calls Social Media Cancer After Kirk Shooting Video Circulates

Utah Governor Spencer Cox sharply criticized social media following the widely circulated videos of Charlie Kirk's assassination, calling social media 'a cancer on our society.' He emphasized that humans are not biologically equipped to process such graphic and violent imagery, citing both Kirk's shooting and the recent stabbing of a Ukrainian refugee as examples of harmful viral content. Cox urged people to disconnect from social media, encouraging activities such as spending time with family, engaging in community service, and reconnecting with reality by 'touching grass.' The assassination videos, captured by eyewitnesses at Utah Valley University, proliferated on platforms despite some restrictions and warning labels applied by companies like Google/YouTube, TikTok, and X. Kirk, a prominent right-wing influencer and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot by suspect Tyler Robinson, who is now in custody. Cox highlighted the societal crossroads moment, suggesting that Americans can either escalate tensions or seek peaceful alternatives by stepping away from the toxic impact of social media.