• Utah Gov. Spencer Cox warned foreign bots from China and Russia are spreading disinformation after Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
• Cox cautioned that these coordinated campaigns seek to encourage violence and destabilize Americans in the wake of tragedy.
• His remarks follow recent reports exposing AI-driven propaganda networks linked to the Chinese Communist Party and Russian actors.

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (TDR) — In the aftermath of the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox has sounded the alarm about a wave of foreign disinformation flooding social media. Cox told reporters that bots tied to China and Russia are actively seeking to encourage violence, exploiting the grief and anger that followed Kirk’s death on September 10 at Utah Valley University.

A Nation in Mourning, A Target for Manipulation

Kirk, a 31-year-old conservative commentator and founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot while speaking on stage at a student event. The killing sparked a massive federal investigation, with the FBI confirming it had received more than 7,000 public tips as agents pursue leads.

Cox emphasized that while law enforcement pursues the case, Utahns must recognize the surge of disinformation networks: “What we’re seeing is our adversaries want violence. We have bots from Russia, China, all over the world that are trying to instill disinformation and encourage violence.”

The Playbook of Influence Operations

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The governor’s warning reflects growing evidence of foreign propaganda campaigns targeting Western audiences. OpenAI’s June report revealed that a Chinese operation dubbed Uncle Spam used generative AI to create fake veteran accounts critical of the Trump administration and to produce divisive political content on platforms like X and Bluesky. These accounts were designed to exploit polarization in American life.

Meanwhile, a Graphika analysis published in August uncovered 11 fake news sites, powered by AI-generated logos and English-language articles lifted from Beijing’s state-run CGTN. Researchers found coordinated efforts to launder pro-China, anti-West messaging across multiple regions, targeting audiences from Africa to Latin America.

Russia’s Digital Footprint

Russia has long relied on online disinformation campaigns, from meddling in elections to amplifying social unrest. In the wake of Kirk’s death, security analysts warn Moscow sees fertile ground for division. Disinformation campaigns often adopt dual approaches: inflaming partisan rage while simultaneously seeding doubts about institutions and law enforcement.

Experts point out that both Beijing and Moscow use AI-assisted tactics to accelerate their operations, creating fake personas, amplifying hashtags, and pushing content faster than moderators can contain.

Cox’s Call for Unity

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Beyond warnings, Cox delivered a plea for restraint. “For those people who are spending so much time on social media, I think Charlie said it best — when things get bad, put phones down and spend a little time with our families,” the governor said. His comments echo growing concern that social media’s toxic role is not just informational but psychological, deepening grief with anger.

Cox urged Utahns to resist manipulation and reclaim a spirit of unity. “We desperately need some healing,” he said, stressing that succumbing to online rage is precisely what America’s adversaries desire.

The Larger Battle Ahead

The Kirk tragedy has become a flashpoint for understanding how foreign adversaries weaponize grief, politics, and fear. While investigators continue to trace the shooter’s motives, leaders like Cox are now focused on the broader threat — the weaponization of AI and disinformation to corrode democratic resilience.

In the days ahead, Americans face a choice: ignore the bots and grifters stoking division, or let hostile powers dictate the narrative of a national tragedy.

Will Americans reject digital manipulation and stand together, or will they allow foreign adversaries to hijack their grief?

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