Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), who had a personal connection with gunned down conservative activist Charlie Kirk, on Thursday said TikTok will be removing videos of his assassination.
Videos of Kirk’s assassination are graphic, violent, and widespread across social media.
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“I have just received word from TikTok that they will be removing the horrific videos of Charlie’s final moments. Thank you @tiktok_us. I have also asked them to take down the content using this horrific incident to incite violence against others,” she posted on X alongside a company statement.
Luna later added that TikTok will also be taking videos down “of anyone using Charlie’s murder to threaten others and/or incite violence.”
“We are saddened by the assassination of Charlie Kirk and send our deepest condolences to his wife Erika, their two young children, and their family and friends,” TikTok said in a statement. “These horrific violent acts have no place in our society. We remain committed to proactively enforcing our Community Guidelines and have implemented additional safeguards to prevent people from unexpectedly viewing footage that violates our rules.”
On Wednesday, Luna called for Elon Musk’s X and other major social media platforms to remove videos of Kirk’s death.
“I am calling on [Musk], [Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg], and [TikTok] to remove the horrifying videos of Charlie Kirk’s murder,” Luna wrote on X, explaining that Kirk’s family should be given privacy.
“He has a family, young children, and no one should be forced to relive this tragedy online,” she added. “These are not the only graphic videos of horrifying murders circulating — at some point, social media begins to desensitize humanity. We must still value life. Please take them down.”
An assassin’s bullet pierced Kirk’s neck from hundreds of yards away at a Utah university on Wednesday, leading to blood gushing out of his body. He was quickly carried away to a nearby hospital, where he died of his injuries.
The scene of Kirk’s assassination disturbed many across the political spectrum.
Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) called Kirk’s killing “heartbreaking, disgusting, and disturbing.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) added that it was a “horrifying attack,” while Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) called the incident “tremendously disturbing.”
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Luna also says gaming platform Roblox “is working immediately to remove content featuring the assassination of Charlie Kirk.”
The Florida representative says companies have been receptive to her requests to take down videos of Kirk’s assassination. “I want to thank TikTok, ROBLOX, the FCC, and others who are working to ensure dignity and respect during this time,” she concluded.