Star Trek icon William Shatner has addressed and dismissed false claims that he is involved in a conflict with MAGA influencer Erika Kirk. The rumors, which suggest a feud between the two, have been revealed as fabricated stories created by AI. These fake narratives were spread through social media platforms, including Facebook, and falsely claimed that Shatner was in a “fight” with Erika, the widow of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The 95-year-old actor took to social media on April Fools’ Day to clarify the situation, stating that he had initially wanted to address the issue the day before but chose to wait to avoid being mistaken for a joke. In his post, he specifically called out a Facebook page that was using artificial intelligence to generate harmful and untrue stories about him.
Shatner explained that the fraudulent page also claimed he had stage four brain cancer and was dying. “They have created stories that say I have stage 4 brain cancer, was in some fight with Erika Kirk, and that I’m dying. All their stories are monetized. Most of the stories use an AI image of me. Facebook Support will not remove the page,” he wrote.
He emphasized that these stories were not only untrue but also damaging to his reputation and the well-being of his family. “The people who are ill are those who are spreading these ridiculous stories. I’m fit as a fiddle. You don’t have to worry. This is getting insane,” he said in an Instagram post, sharing a photo taken by his daughter to prove he was healthy.
Shatner also mentioned that he had previously reached out to the owner of the Facebook page, the CEO of The Beanstalk Functions Group, to request its removal. Despite his efforts, the page remained online, and the false stories continued to circulate. “None of these stories are true, but they apparently seem genuine enough for fans to repost them across social media and send messages of support to me and my family all while the culprits behind the account make money,” he noted.
This is not the first time Shatner has faced health-related misinformation. However, this particular incident highlighted the growing problem of AI-generated content being used to manipulate public perception and generate ad revenue.
Despite the negative aspects of AI, Shatner did not completely condemn the technology. He acknowledged that while it can be a powerful tool when used responsibly, it can also be misused. “While [it] can be a wonderful tool in the right hands, it can be used as a weapon in the wrong hands,” he wrote. He advised his followers to be cautious and verify information before believing or sharing it.
Erika Kirk, meanwhile, is currently embroiled in a high-profile real-life dispute with far-right influencer Candace Owens over the circumstances surrounding her husband’s death. This adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing discussions around misinformation and the impact of social media on public discourse.
Shatner’s response to the AI-generated rumors serves as a reminder of the importance of critical thinking and verifying sources in the digital age. As AI continues to evolve, the responsibility of ensuring its ethical use falls on both creators and consumers of online content.
