Charlie Kirk’s widow and his family showed up for the court proceedings related to the late activist—first time for most of them. Yet, mainstream media, in their classic manner, rushed to spin this emotional appearance into a story that suits their agenda, focusing on drama over substance.

Let’s break down the reporting we’re getting from outlets like CNN and MSNBC. They’re more concerned with sensationalizing the courtroom spectacle than digging into the actual issues at stake. Instead of reporting on Kirk’s contributions to political discourse and activism, they’re framing it with a focus on emotional manipulation. Why? Because it peddles better ratings and clicks. You get nothing but a one-dimensional narrative that ignores the complexities of the case and the man behind it.

Fox News, on the other hand, is often caught playing the reactionary game too, but they tend to focus on how this impacts the wider conservative movement. They can’t resist couching this in political terms that serve their base, overlooking the human tragedy involved. It’s typical of them to pander instead of reflecting on the actual implications of Kirk’s life and work.

Both ends of the spectrum miss the point. The nuance of the story—the significant activist Kirk was, the implications of the court proceedings, and the tragedy felt by his family—is buried beneath an avalanche of sensationalism. When will media outlets realize that focusing on the heart of the issue is more engaging than the tired he-said-she-said format?

Let’s stop letting these corporate giants dictate the narrative. The truth deserves more than just sensational headlines.