Conspiracy Theories Emerge After Alleged Assassination of Charlie Kirk

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Following the release of alleged text messages from Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old accused of assassinating right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, conspiracy theories have begun to swirl online.

On Tuesday, prosecutors in Utah disclosed messages between Robinson and his romantic partner. Many social media users, including notable influencers, questioned their authenticity. Some claimed the texts appeared fabricated and not representative of Robinson’s age.

Matt Walsh, a right-wing commentator, suggested the language was scripted to exonerate Robinson’s transgender partner. “This feels like a strategy they cooked up from watching too much TV,” Walsh wrote on X.

Utah Governor Spencer Cox confirmed that Robinson’s partner had no prior knowledge of the crime and has been fully cooperating with authorities. Meanwhile, Steve Bannon, a former adviser to Donald Trump, expressed skepticism about the texts, calling them “too stilted, too much like a script.”

On the left, progressive influencer Majid Padellan, known as Brooklyn Dad Defiant, voiced his disbelief, stating he did not think a 22-year-old would write like that. “This feels like that Steve Buscemi skateboard meme ‘How do you do, fellow kids?’” Padellan noted.

Joanne Carducci, a liberal commentator, remarked on the uncommon consensus across the political spectrum, saying, “No one on the left or the right is buying these text messages.”

The Utah County Attorney’s office has not commented on the rampant speculation. Experts on conspiracy theories highlighted the growing trend of such theories in response to high-profile violence amid a politically charged atmosphere.

In recent months, conspiracy theories surrounding violence have proliferated, often uniting individuals across the political divide. Eric Oliver, a political science professor, said that the current assassination of Kirk has fuelled these unfounded claims.

The alleged texts suggest a motive; Robinson reportedly expressed frustration over Kirk’s political views, stating that he had “had enough” of Kirk’s “hatred.” Authorities also found bullet casings with politically charged messages.

Robinson faces multiple charges, including aggravated murder. Legal experts, like Steven B. Duke from Yale Law School, noted that the authenticity of the texts is unlikely to be fabricated by law enforcement.

Joseph Uscinski, a political science professor at the University of Miami, explained that individuals who subscribe to conspiracy theories often exist across the ideological spectrum, indicating that predispositions toward conspiracy beliefs enhance susceptibility to such narratives.