How both conservatives and liberals doctored the same photo of the Charlie Kirk murder suspect

[mahatmakanejeeves]

How both conservatives and liberals doctored the same photo of the Charlie Kirk murder suspect

AMERICAS

There is widespread debate on social media about the political affiliation of Tyler Robinson, the main suspect in the murder of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. Some Republicans have been claiming that he was a supporter of former Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris … and they even have a photo to prove it. But Democrats have also been sharing a photo of Robinson that they say shows he was a Trump supporter. It turns out that the photos shared by both camps are false – and are actually doctored versions of the same original image.

Issued on: 17/09/2025 - 16:50
4 min Reading time

By:
The FRANCE 24 Observers / Quang Pham

{Snip: Three doctored photos of Tyler Robinson, the suspect in the killing of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk.}

Both Republicans and Democrats are sharing a photo of Robinson to prove he's either pro-Trump or pro-Harris. Both of the photos are fake – and are doctored versions of the same image. © X

What are the politics of Tyler Robinson, the man suspected of killing Charlie Kirk? While the ongoing investigation hasn’t yet settled on the answer, many social media users have been sharing photos of Robinson wearing a T-shirt that supposedly reveals his political affiliation.

{snip}

[LearnedHand]

1. Sharing a doctored photo isn't the same thing as doctoring a photo

Pretty incindiary headline. FFS, france24. Way to both sides this horrible thing.

NB: I think most people who share a doctored photo are victims Russian propaganda. Not many can tell any more because of AI image generation and manipulation. I know the right commits most political acts of violence, but we have just about zero credible evidence in this instance.

[Silent Type]

2. Can't trust anything anymore. If it's important, we have to research it to make sure. Most don't care.