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Fact Check: False Claims About Erika Kirk Appearing on TIME Magazine’s “Most Influential People” Cover
False claims circulating on social media in October 2025 alleged that Erika Kirk, the newly appointed CEO of Turning Point USA and widow of Charlie Kirk, was featured on TIME magazine’s cover as one of the “Top 100 Most Influential People of 2025.”
The viral posts, which appeared primarily on Facebook, included fabricated TIME magazine covers showing Erika Kirk wearing a crown, dress, and sash reading “Miss Arizona USA.” These images displayed an April 28, 2025 date with text claiming she was “The Most Influential Person.”
However, these claims are entirely false. TIME’s actual “100 Most Influential People of 2025” list was published in April 2025, months before Charlie Kirk’s shooting death on September 10. The magazine never featured Erika Kirk on this list or on its cover.
An investigation into the source of these false claims revealed they originated from Facebook pages managed by users in Vietnam. The posts linked to advertisement-filled WordPress blogs containing text likely generated by artificial intelligence tools. Analysis of the text by AI detection platforms ZeroGPT.com and Copyleaks.com confirmed this suspicion, noting the dramatic, forward-looking language characteristic of AI-generated content.
One such post began: “FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY: Erika Kirk Has Been Named One of TIME Magazine’s ‘Top 100 Most Influential People of 2025.’ The moment her name was announced, the entire room rose in a standing ovation.” The posts continued with emotionally charged language about her journey “from grief to global recognition.”
The fabricated magazine covers were created by digitally manipulating existing TIME covers. In one example, Kirk’s image was superimposed onto the same background used for actor Demi Moore’s legitimate “Most Influential People of 2025” cover.
The misinformation campaign appears designed to generate advertising revenue through clickbait content. The timing of these false claims may have been opportunistic, capitalizing on Erika Kirk’s recent public profile following her husband’s death and her subsequent appointment as CEO of Turning Point USA on September 18.
What may have fueled the false rumors was Erika Kirk’s actual inclusion on a different TIME list. On September 30, approximately three weeks after her husband’s death, TIME did name her to its “TIME100 Next” list of “The World’s Most Influential Rising Stars.” This legitimate recognition came shortly after Turning Point USA announced she would take over as CEO and board chair of the conservative organization.
However, even for this legitimate recognition, Kirk did not appear on any of TIME’s three released covers for the “TIME100 Next” edition.
The Facebook page “Down Home Country” was among the most prominent promoters of the false claim. This page has previously shared other debunked, AI-generated rumors about the Kirks, including claims that ABC replaced “The View” with “The Charlie Kirk Show” and that Erika Kirk rejected a $6 million Netflix licensing offer.
Snopes has attempted to contact the managers of the “Down Home Country” Facebook page for comment but had not received a response at the time of publication.
This incident highlights the growing challenge of AI-generated misinformation on social media platforms, particularly content designed to capitalize on timely events and public figures for financial gain through advertising revenue.
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12 Comments
Glad to see this false claim about Erika Kirk being debunked. It’s a good example of why we should always verify information, especially when it seems too sensational to be true.
Appreciate the detailed investigation into the Erika Kirk story. It’s a good reminder that we can’t always trust what we see online, even if it looks official. Fact-checking is crucial.
This fact check is a valuable lesson in the importance of verifying information, especially when it comes to influential public figures. It’s alarming to see how quickly misinformation can spread.
Interesting fact check on the misleading claims about Erika Kirk’s influence. It’s important to verify information, especially when it comes to prominent public figures.
This fact check highlights the need for critical thinking and media literacy. It’s easy for misinformation to spread, but taking the time to verify claims is so important.
Agreed. The fact that these false claims originated from Vietnam-based social media pages is particularly troubling. We have to be wary of coordinated disinformation campaigns.
Glad to see this false claim about Erika Kirk being debunked. It’s a good example of why we should always be skeptical of sensational stories, no matter the source. Fact-checking is essential.
Thanks for the detailed breakdown. It’s concerning to see how easily misinformation can spread, especially when it involves fabricated media. Fact-checking is crucial in today’s digital landscape.
I agree, the origins of these false claims from Vietnam-based social media pages is quite troubling. We need to be vigilant about scrutinizing online content, no matter the source.
This is an important fact check. It’s alarming to see how quickly fabricated stories can gain traction online. We need to be more critical consumers of media, especially when it involves public figures.
Absolutely. The use of AI-generated content to spread misinformation is particularly concerning. We have to stay vigilant and rely on reputable sources.
Appreciate the in-depth investigation into the Erika Kirk story. It’s a good reminder that we can’t always trust what we see on social media, even if it looks official. Fact-checking is key.