Over 53,000 people are involved. Details in comments

When news surrounding the death of political commentator Charlie Kirk reached national attention earlier this year, public discussion quickly moved beyond the immediate circumstances of his passing. In the weeks that followed, online speculation and misinformation began to circulate—eventually drawing his wife, Erika Kirk, into an especially troubling trend rooted in conspiracy culture.

At the center of these claims is a term many people have never heard before: “transvestigating.” Though obscure to most, the concept has gained traction in certain online communities that thrive on sensationalism and unfounded theories.

“Transvestigating” refers to a conspiracy-driven practice in which individuals assert—without evidence—that public figures are secretly transgender. These claims rely almost entirely on subjective judgments about appearance, such as facial structure, posture, or body shape, often filtered through outdated and inaccurate gender stereotypes. Over the years, numerous well-known figures, including entertainers, athletes, and political spouses, have been subjected to similar accusations. In every case, these claims have been widely discredited and criticized for being invasive and discriminatory.

Erika Kirk became a target largely due to increased visibility following her husband’s death. As she stepped into a more public leadership role and appeared in interviews and organizational updates, conspiracy-focused accounts began circulating old photos from her past, including images from beauty pageants. Rather than treating these as ordinary competition photographs, some online users selectively analyzed them, presenting everyday physical traits as supposed “evidence.”

The pattern mirrors previous cases: cherry-picked images, exaggerated interpretations, and narratives built entirely on speculation. Claims about her appearance, her background, or even her marriage have no factual basis and rely solely on opinion framed as discovery.

Experts on digital misinformation note that trends like this gained momentum around 2017, fueled by algorithm-driven platforms, anonymous communities, and the viral nature of provocative content. Once a narrative gains traction, it can be applied to almost anyone in the public eye.

Beyond the personal harm caused to individuals, this trend contributes to a wider culture of misinformation and online harassment. It reinforces false ideas about gender and distracts from meaningful discourse.

For readers encountering such claims, the takeaway is simple: appearance is not evidence, unsourced accusations deserve skepticism, and sharing misinformation—intentionally or not—can have real consequences. Erika Kirk may be the latest target, but understanding how these narratives operate is key to preventing their spread.