‘Get JK Rowling next’: Bluesky users celebrate death of Charlie Kirk
Users of the social media platform have been warned after some shared ‘hit lists’, with calls to eliminate Elon Musk, Donald Trump and the Harry Potter author
Social media platform Bluesky has been forced to warn users that “glorifying violence” is against its rules in the wake of a spate of posts celebrating the death of Charlie Kirk.
The platform attracted millions of users as a left-wing alternative to X, after Elon Musk threw his support behind President Trump. Numerous posts shared this week have glorified the shooting of conservative commentator Kirk in Utah.
Some users have even posted hit lists of other potential targets, including the British author and activist JK Rowling.
Kirk was killed on Wednesday, while speaking to students at Utah Valley University, by an unidentified gunman who fled the scene. On Friday, President Trump said the suspect was in custody and called for swift justice.
In the wake of Kirk’s death, dozens of Bluesky accounts were found to have posted messages that appear to contravene its rules, which prohibit posts that “show or promote violence”.
“Rest in piss,” wrote one user. “Go get Trump next.”
Another added: “I’m glad that guy died but they’re going really hard on the ‘Ohh this is a dark day for America’ about a guy I had never heard of until he was shot. Can we get JK Rowling next? The UK would be unbearable about it but it’s for the greater good of trans people.”
Posts being circulated contained apparent hit lists of potential victims including right-wing commentators Andy Ngo, Ben Shapiro and Benny Johnson. Kirk’s name was struck through with a black line.
The posts drew the attention of Musk, now chief executive of X, who accused users on the platform of “celebrating cold-blooded murder”.
Bluesky has issued a statement to its 38 million users via its Safety account.
“Glorifying violence or harm violates Bluesky’s Community Guidelines. We review reports and take action on content that celebrates harm against anyone,” it said.
“Violence has no place in healthy public discourse, and we’re committed to fostering healthy, open conversations.”
Its Cardinal Directions guidelines, updated last month, call on users to respect others or risk having their posts deleted and accounts suspended or banned.
“We do not allow content that shows or promotes violence or harm–to adults, children, or animals,” it said.
Millions of people left X for Bluesky before the presidential election in 2024.
Toby Young, director of the Free Speech Union, said the social media start-up’s image has been tarnished by the response of its users. He said: “Bluesky’s reputation for being more wholesome and less nasty than X will not survive this day.”
Rival social media companies have issued similar warnings to their users. Meta, which owns Facebook, YouTube and Reddit have all issued statements denouncing any posts that glorify the killing.