Why Charlie Kirk and His Wife Are Being Targeted by an Online “Transvestigation” Hoax — And What the Trend Really Means

When news about the late political commentator Charlie Kirk reached national headlines earlier this year, the public conversation quickly expanded beyond the immediate circumstances of his passing.

In the weeks that followed, a wave of misinformation and speculation emerged online — and now, a newer and particularly harmful trend has pulled both him and his wife, Erika Kirk, into its spotlight.

The term attached to this latest rumor is “transvestigating,” a word many people have never encountered before. It may sound unfamiliar, but its influence has grown steadily across social platforms, especially in corners of the internet that thrive on conspiratorial claims.

Before understanding how Erika Kirk became the newest target, it’s important to understand what this online trend actually is.