Utah Governor Warns of Disinformation by China, Russia After Assassination of Charlie Kirk

The governor says there is a ’tremendous amount of disinformation' being monitored by state authorities.

(L-R) Utah Department of Public Safety Beau Mason, Utah Governor Spencer Cox and FBI Director Kash Patel attend a press conference outside the Doterra Auditorium at Utah Valley University a day after youth activist and influencer Charlie Kirk was shot during a public event in Orem, Utah, on September 11, 2025. The gunman who shot dead US right-wing youth leader Charlie Kirk in a targeted killing remained at large Thursday but authorities said they have video images of the suspect and have recovered a "high-powered" rifle. Kirk, a 31-year-old superstar on the Republican right who was credited with helping Donald Trump return to the presidency last year, was shot while addressing a large crowd at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP) Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox has cautioned that Chinese and Russian bots are generating and spreading misleading content online to “encourage violence” in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination.

Kirk, a prominent political commentator and conservative influencer, was fatally shot while on stage at an event held at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. He was 31.