Erika Kirk stepping into a Provo courthouse ahead of Tyler Robinson’s preliminary hearing is classic media fodder, and you can bet the mainstream outlets will manipulate this story to fit their chosen narrative. Look at CNN and MSNBC—these networks are notorious for sensationalizing crime stories, twisting them to push their own biases. If this were a case involving race or gun control, we’d see them go into overdrive, dissecting every detail with a heavy-handed agenda.

But what about outlets like Fox News? They might take the “law and order” angle, focusing solely on Robinson’s alleged crime while glorifying the heroism of law enforcement. Both sides exploit this tragedy, but neither addresses the deeper issues at stake. Where is the nuanced discussion on mental health? What about the societal factors that lead to such violent acts?

As the media dances around the true complexities, they keep the real conversation buried. They’d rather throw out headlines that evoke fear and outrage than promote genuine understanding. Meanwhile, the public becomes a pawn in their emotional chess game.

It’s high time we as consumers of news demand better. Let’s focus on the facts rather than sensationalism. The truth is often far more complicated than a headline can convey. Until we refuse to let these corporate media giants dictate the narrative, we’re stuck in a cycle of outrage with no real solutions.