WSJ’s Erroneous Reporting Fuels Hazardous Anti-Trans rhetoric After Charlie Kirk Shooting
(Updated September 12, 2025)
The recent shooting involving conservative activist Charlie kirk has, unluckily, become another flashpoint for the spread of misinformation targeting the transgender community. While the incident itself is concerning, the initial reporting by The Wall Street Journal – and its subsequent amplification – raises serious questions about journalistic responsibility and the potential for real-world harm.
Yesterday, the Journal‘s live updates on the shooting reported, based on a law enforcement bulletin and a source, that “ammunition engraved with transgender and antifascist ideology was found inside the rifle authorities believe was used in Kirk’s shooting.” This claim quickly spread via the Journal’s social media channels (see here and here).
However, this reporting proved to be demonstrably false.
A Rapid Unraveling of the Narrative
The Journal’s claim was swiftly challenged. The New York Times reported a source contradicting the WSJ’s information (link). CNN followed, stating investigators had only observed “arrows” on the casings (link). The final confirmation came during a press conference with Utah Governor Spencer Cox, who explicitly stated there was no confirmation of any transgender-related markings on the ammunition.
A Pattern of False Accusations
This incident isn’t isolated. Right-wing figures, including members of Congress, have a documented history of falsely linking transgender people to gun violence. This dangerous rhetoric fuels prejudice and can incite violence against a vulnerable community.
* In 2023, Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene falsely labeled the perpetrator of a Philadelphia mass shooting as “another trans shooter” (link). The suspect was not transgender.
* Missouri Senator Josh Hawley similarly misidentified the shooter in a 2024 Texas church shooting as “a transgender, pro-Palestine radical…” (link). Again, this claim was inaccurate.
* Even after facing criticism, arizona Representative Paul Gosar initially blamed “a transsexual leftist illegal alien” for the 2022 Uvalde school shooting (link),before eventually deleting the tweet.The suspect was, again, not transgender. (link).
The Danger of “Blood Libel”
The
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