Bluesky Warns Users After Posts Celebrate Charlie Kirk’s Killing, Some Call for J.K. Rowling to Be Targeted

Bluesky on Thursday warned users to stop "glorifying violence" after the platform saw a wave of posts celebrating the fatal shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk and suggesting other public figures be targeted, including author J.K. Rowling.

The company’s Safety account posted that "Glorifying violence or harm violates Bluesky's Community Guidelines" and that the platform would review reports and take action on content that celebrates harm against anyone. "Violence has no place in healthy public discourse, and we're committed to fostering healthy, open conversations," it added.

The posts, reported by media outlets, included explicit calls for other high-profile figures to be killed. One post said, "Can we get JK Rowling next?" while another wrote, "Rest in piss... Go get Trump next." Bluesky's safety message cited its "Cardinal Directions," warning that any of the platform's roughly 38 million users who violate the policy by celebrating the assassination or promoting violence could face suspension or removal.

Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was shot while speaking at a "Prove Me Wrong" debate at Utah Valley University on Wednesday evening. Authorities said a single gunshot struck Kirk in the neck about 20 minutes into the event; he was taken to Timpanogos Regional Hospital in Orem and was later pronounced dead. Police said the shooter was captured on camera running across a rooftop after the attack and remained at large. Law enforcement described the suspect as a college-aged male with a high degree of firearms proficiency and likely familiarity with the campus. A reward totaling at least $100,000 was being offered for information leading to the shooter’s identification; hedge fund manager Bill Ackman later said he would add $1 million to the FBI’s reward.

In response to the posts that called for violence against public figures, Rowling wrote on X that political violence is akin to terrorism and criticized people who reject free speech for their opponents. "If you believe free speech is for you but not your political opponents, you're illiberal," she wrote. "If you believe political opponents should be punished with violence or death, you're a terrorist."

Bluesky, which allows users to post short messages similar to tweets, began as a side project inside Twitter in 2019 and received early funding from former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey. The project became an independent company in 2021 and launched a public app in 2023 as an alternative to X after Elon Musk purchased Twitter in late 2022. The platform has marketed itself as having stronger rules against hate speech; according to media reports it attracted millions of liberal users who left X after changes to that platform's content moderation.

Platform moderation has come under renewed scrutiny as authorities investigate the shooting and as social networks contend with the spread of violent and celebratory content. Bluesky said it would review reports and enforce its rules, but did not immediately disclose whether any accounts had been suspended or removed in connection with the posts praising Kirk's death.

Kirk, 31, leaves behind his wife and two young children. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, and law enforcement officials have appealed to the public for tips as they search for the suspect.