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Following the tragic assassination of prominent right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, former President Donald Trump has amplified a viral call for enhanced media “accountability,” endorsing a proposal to rename a Cold War-era law the “Charlie Kirk Act.” This initiative stems from a petition that swiftly garnered over 5,000 signatures within 13 hours, pushing for significant reforms in how media outlets and social media platforms operate.
The “Charlie Kirk Act” Proposal Gains Traction
The movement ignited after 31-year-old Kirk was killed at Utah Valley University, leading to the arrest of 22-year-old Tyler Robinson. TikTok user Ellie May subsequently released a video urging the president to reinstate the Smith-Mundt Act, a U.S. law originally designed to prevent the domestic spread of U.S.-backed foreign media, and to rebrand it as the “Charlie Kirk Act.” May’s impassioned video quickly went viral and was shared on Trump’s Truth Social platform, signaling presidential support for the proposed changes.
In her viral clip, May accused various media outlets of “spreading propaganda” and perpetuating conspiracy theories that proliferate across digital platforms. The aftermath of Kirk’s death saw a rapid circulation of AI-generated images and false claims misidentifying the suspect, some of which gained further reach through X’s AI chatbot, Grok, which reportedly only acknowledged errors after numerous false posts had already spread.
Demands for Stricter Media and Social Media Accountability
May’s petition, which she largely reads from in her TikTok video, advocates for stringent measures against media organizations and content creators who disseminate what she terms as “propaganda and half-truths” online. The proposal includes severe financial penalties for violations.
“Each violation should be subject to a fine amounting to at least 35 percent of the company’s value,” May asserted, reading from her online petition. She emphasized that “baseless accusations, such as labeling individuals as bigots, fascists, or racist, without verifiable proof, tarnish reputations and endanger lives. Such acts should not be tolerated and must invite strict accountability measures.” The petition also calls for “stringent penalties for social media companies that censor information unfairly,” echoing the proposed 35 percent company value fine for each infringement.
May expressed to The Independent that the public response to her petition has been “a lot more digestible” than anticipated, noting a significant surge in signatures. “This could become a pivotal moment in American history,” she remarked, highlighting the widespread support for her initiative.
Clarifying the Smith-Mundt Act’s History
Crucially, May’s video incorrectly claimed that the Smith-Mundt Act was abolished in 2013 by then-President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden. In reality, Obama’s administration oversaw the passage of the Smith-Mundt Modernization Act of 2012, which amended specific sections of the original law. This amendment, which became effective in July 2013, lifted a decades-old ban on the domestic dissemination of informational materials produced by the U.S. government for foreign audiences. However, nothing in the modernized bill grants the government authority over what private media organizations in the U.S. can or cannot publish.
Addressing Backlash and Kirk’s Enduring Legacy
May later addressed the backlash she received for allegedly promoting media “censorship,” clarifying her stance. “I’m not calling for censorship, I’m calling for media organizations to be held accountable for the ignorant s**t that they say,” she stated in a follow-up video. She specifically criticized viral claims suggesting suspect Tyler Robinson was a MAGA-aligned ultra-conservative, as well as the proliferation of AI-doctored photos and fabricated screenshots linking him to pro-Trump causes.
Meanwhile, Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk’s widow, has vowed to continue her husband’s legacy by advancing the right-wing movement he founded. In an emotional tribute from Phoenix, Arizona, Erika Kirk, who shares two young children with Charlie, promised to grow Turning Point USA, the conservative youth organization her husband established, into “the biggest thing this nation has ever seen.”
Tyler Robinson remains held without bail at the Utah County Jail. He faces formal charges of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, and obstruction of justice. Under Utah law, aggravated murder is a capital felony, potentially subjecting Robinson to the death penalty if convicted.