This is a story about the internet and our country’s political polarization.

It’s also a story about our thirst for answers, and the race to score ideological points following a tragedy.

And that rush to blame and to explain creates an environment where totally innocent people are run over by the runaway train of internet speculation, viral misinformation, and prejudice.

That’s what happened to one Seattleite a few days ago. 

She’s a paralegal, and a trans woman – and last week, to a portion of the internet, her photo became the face of the shooter who assassinated Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.

Her image went viral in right-wing social media circles, along with threatening anti-trans rhetoric. 

Obviously all of that was a lie. But the situation also had very true consequences for her life.

Guest:
Michaela, Seattle resident

A note: We are only using Michaela's first name because of concerns about harassment.

Related stories:
Conservatives falsely accused her of assassinating Charlie Kirk. It started with Dr. Pepper jokes - KUOW
No, this transgender woman is not the Charlie Kirk assassin - The Advocate
Seattle Area Trans Women Are Being Attacked by Groups of Men - The Stranger

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

This is a story about the internet and our country&rsquo;s political polarization. It&rsquo;s also a story about our thirst for answers, and the race to score ideological points following a tragedy.
And that rush to blame and to explain creates an environment where totally innocent people are run over by the runaway train of internet speculation, viral misinformation, and prejudice.
That&rsquo;s what happened to one Seattleite a few days ago. She&rsquo;s a paralegal, and a trans woman &ndash; and last week, to a portion of the internet, her photo became the face of the shooter who assassinated Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.
Her image went viral in right-wing social media circles, along with threatening anti-trans rhetoric.&nbsp;
Obviously all of that was a lie. But the situation also had very true consequences for her life.
Guest:
<ul>
<li>Michaela, Seattle resident</li>
</ul>
A note: We are only using Michaela's first name because of concerns about harassment.
Related stories:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/conservatives-falsely-accused-her-of-assassinating-charlie-kirk-it-started-with-dr-pepper-jokes">Conservatives falsely accused her of assassinating Charlie Kirk. It started with Dr. Pepper jokes - KUOW</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.advocate.com/news/transgender-woman-charlie-kirk">No, this transgender woman is not the Charlie Kirk assassin - The Advocate</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.thestranger.com/news/2025/09/23/80249464/seattle-area-trans-women-are-being-attacked-by-groups-of-men">Seattle Area Trans Women Are Being Attacked by Groups of Men - The Stranger</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside

Michaela is a Seattleite, a paralegal, and a trans woman – and last week, to a portion of the internet, her photo became the face of the shooter who assassinated Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.

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