CEOs of Reddit, Twitch and Discord Known as to Testify in Congress After Charlie Kirk Killing

Many Republicans are blaming social media for the homicide of MAGA influencer Charlie Kirk because it’s been revealed the suspect engraved web meme messages on the bullets and used Discord to allegedly confess to the killing. And now a high-profile congressman desires a few of the executives from varied tech platforms to testify about all of it.

James Comer, the chairman of the Home Oversight and Authorities Reform Committee, launched a statement Wednesday calling for the CEOs of Discord, Steam, Twitch, and Reddit to testify at a committee listening to on October 8, 2025.

“The politically motivated assassination of Charlie Kirk claimed the lifetime of a husband, father, and American patriot. Within the wake of this tragedy, and amid different acts of politically motivated violence, Congress has an obligation to supervise the web platforms that radicals have used to advance political violence,” Comer stated in a press release printed on-line.

“To stop future radicalization and violence, the CEOs of Discord, Steam, Twitch, and Reddit should seem earlier than the Oversight Committee and clarify what actions they’ll take to make sure their platforms should not exploited for nefarious functions.”

Discord instructed Gizmodo in a press release on Wednesday that its CEO can be testifying.

“We’ve acquired the Committee’s invitation and welcome the chance to testify,” a spokesperson instructed Gizmodo. “We repeatedly have interaction with policymakers on these important points and look ahead to persevering with this vital dialogue subsequent month.”

Kirk was shot and killed Sept. 10 at Utah Valley College in Orem, Utah, whereas doing one among his debate-style talks on campus. Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old from Utah, turned himself in to authorities late the following day after his mother and father reportedly acknowledged him from safety footage launched by the FBI.

The bullet cartridges discovered close to the scene of the crime have been discovered to have messages engraved, one among many indicators that the suspect was plugged in to web trolling tradition.

The messages reportedly included:

• “Notices bulges OWO what’s this?”
• “Hey fascist! Catch!” [Symbols that include an up arrow, right arrow, and three down arrows]
• “Oh bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao ciao”
• “In the event you learn this you’re homosexual LMAO”

Robinson additionally allegedly talked with pals on Discord, which is presumably why Comer desires to carry the CEO of the corporate in for a listening to. Nevertheless it’s unclear why he’s additionally calling in executives who oversee corporations like Twitch, Steam, and Reddit.

The shooter’s actual politics have but to be decided, however the indictment alleges Robinson stated Kirk was stuffed with “hate.” The indictment additionally means that Robinson’s messages have been only a option to carry out as a troll relatively than an try and make an earnest assertion.

However that’s not going to cease legislators from insisting that one thing about platforms like Discord is ultimately accountable for Kirk’s loss of life, irrespective of how ridiculous that concept could also be.

Reddit, Twitch, and Valve (the proprietor of Steam) didn’t reply to questions emailed on Wednesday about whether or not their respective CEOs can be attending the listening to. Gizmodo will replace this text after we hear again.