- President Donald Trump has proposed a new law, named the "Charlie Kirk Act," which would impose financial penalties on media outlets, content creators and social media platforms for spreading false claims and unverified accusations.
- The act is inspired by the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and aims to reinstate and expand provisions of the Cold War-era Smith-Mundt Act, which originally restricted the domestic dissemination of U.S. government-funded foreign propaganda.
- Advocates argue that the act is necessary to combat misinformation and political violence, while critics warn that it could threaten free speech and set a dangerous precedent for government oversight of media.
- A Change.org petition supporting the act has garnered over 76,000 signatures, proposing penalties of up to 35 percent of a company's value for violations. However, free speech advocates and legal experts caution against the potential risks of legislating truth and government overreach.
- The proposal highlights the ongoing debate over media trust, accountability, and the balance between free speech and the need to curb harmful falsehoods, reflecting deepening divisions in an era of rampant misinformation.
President Donald Trump has amplified calls for a new law that would impose financial penalties on media outlets, content creators and social media platforms for spreading false claims and unverified accusations.
The proposal, dubbed the "Charlie Kirk Act," follows the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and seeks to reinstate and expand provisions of the Cold War-era Smith-Mundt Act. Advocates argue that misinformation has fueled political violence, while critics warn such measures could threaten free speech. (Related: Why We Need the Charlie Kirk Free Speech Act: A Legal Shield Against the Censorship Industrial Complex.)
Trump shared a video on Truth Social originally posted by TikTok user Elly May, who urged him to revive the Smith-Mundt Act – a 1948 law restricting the domestic dissemination of U.S. government-funded foreign propaganda. Contrary to May's claim, the act was never repealed under President Barack Obama but was amended in 2013 to allow some overseas content to be shared domestically. The proposal would rebrand it as the "Charlie Kirk Act," named after the Turning Point USA founder who was fatally shot while speaking at a Utah college last week.
May accused mainstream media of spreading "chaos, hatred, division and anarchy" and linked Kirk's death to online harassment. A Change.org petition echoing her demands has garnered over 76,000 signatures, calling for strict fines against platforms that engage in "unfair censorship" or publish "false narratives." The petition proposes penalties of up to 35 percent of a company's value for violations.
Historical context and controversy
"The Smith-Mundt Act was originally designed to prevent U.S. propaganda from influencing domestic audiences during the Cold War," Brighteon.AI's Enoch noted. Critics argue that expanding it to police domestic media could set a dangerous precedent for government oversight of free speech.
Trump's endorsement aligns with his long-standing grievances against mainstream media, which he frequently labels "fake news." Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, who described Kirk's alleged killer as "deeply indoctrinated with leftist ideology," has also blamed inflammatory rhetoric for escalating violence.
Meanwhile, free speech advocates warn that punitive measures against the media could stifle dissent.
"While misinformation is a serious issue, legislating truth risks government overreach," said First Amendment lawyer Brian Freeman, whose nonprofit is challenging social media bans in court.
The "Charlie Kirk Act" proposal underscores deepening divisions over media trust and accountability in an era of rampant misinformation. As Trump and his supporters push for stricter penalties, the debate raises critical questions about balancing free speech with the need to curb harmful falsehoods. With legal battles already underway – including challenges to TikTok bans and First Amendment violations – the fight over who controls the narrative shows no signs of abating.
Watch the video below that remembers Kirk as "one of the great patriots" of the century.
This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com.
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Trump vows to hunt down those funding "radical left" violence after Charlie Kirk's assassination.
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