Utah Gov. Spencer Cox sharply criticized social media companies Sunday, calling them “conflict entrepreneurs” that profit from division and have fueled a wave of political violence, including last week’s fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Speaking on several national news programs, Cox said tech platforms have “hacked our brains” with algorithms designed to amplify outrage. He described social media as “a cancer” and argued it has played a direct role in every major political assassination or attempt in recent years. “Cancer probably isn’t a strong enough word,” Cox told NBC’s Meet the Press.
Kirk, 31, founder of Turning Point USA and a close ally of President Donald Trump, was shot Sept. 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University. He died of a neck wound at the scene. Police arrested 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who faces pending murder and weapons charges. Authorities say Robinson, who isn’t cooperating with investigators, had expressed hostility toward Kirk in the days before the shooting.
The killing has further inflamed partisan tensions. Trump blamed Kirk’s death on vilification by “the radical left.” Cox, while acknowledging Robinson’s apparent leftist leanings, urged Americans to resist scapegoating. “The conflict entrepreneurs are taking advantage of us,” he said.
Federal lawmakers also weighed in. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) told Meet the Press that Congress must act against platforms that “are exploiting kids.” Sen. John Curtis (R-Utah) added that extremism on both the right and left poses dangers.
Source: Bloomberg