Link: https://networkcontagion.us/reports/permission-to-kill-how-candace-owens-built-a-digital-assassination-culture-targeting-erika-kirk/

A recent study by the Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI) explains how social media can be used to set the stage for real-world violence. By looking at a campaign Candace Owens ran against a private citizen named Erika Kirk, widow of the influencer Charlie Kirk, the researchers identified several important lessons for those working in security and technology:

• Shifting from Public to Private Targets: In the past, harassment campaigns usually focused on famous politicians. Now, the NCRI warns of a dangerous trend where influencers target private individuals—like Erika Kirk—who do not have the security or institutional support that public figures do. This shows the attacker’s ability to reach anyone they choose.
• Creating a Permission Structure: The report describes how an influencer can motivate a group to commit violence without ever explicitly telling them to do so. This happens through a three-part process: naming a target, providing a moral excuse for attacking them (often using conspiracy theories), and fostering a community that accepts both. Once these are in place, the audience feels empowered to take matters into their own hands. (It should be noted that this dynamic mirrors closely what “FlatbushGirl” Adina Sash did to Raphi Stein.)
• Measurable Real-World Consequences: Using statistical analysis, researchers found that when Owens posted about Erika Kirk, there was a predictable spike in death threats directed at Kirk two days later. This demonstrates that online rhetoric is not just talk; it has a direct and measurable effect on people’s physical safety.
• The Impact of Naming Someone: The study found that having a large audience is less dangerous than the specific act of singling someone out. Owens’ general posts did not cause these issues, but as soon as she named Kirk, the number of threats rose significantly.
• The Role of Amplification: Influencers rarely work in a vacuum. The report shows that secondary accounts, such as Project Constitution, act as a support system that keeps hostile narratives going even when the primary influencer stops posting.
• A Systemic Problem: This behavior is happening while threats against American institutions are already at an all-time high. Since 2017, threats against members of Congress have jumped 279%, and attacks on law enforcement have increased by 62%. The report argues that this is no longer just a partisan issue; it is a broader problem that makes anyone vulnerable to being named as a target.
• The Limits of Content Moderation: The NCRI concludes that banning posts or relying on platform moderation is not enough to fix this problem. They argue that we need to be more transparent about how these attacks are organized, publicly calling out these patterns to hold those responsible accountable.