Charlie Kirk AI image incident — Oct 2026

A portrait-style deepfake image has emerged online, depicting Jack Doherty with the facial features of public figure Charlie Kirk. The image, which features a young man with curly brown hair and light eyes wearing an olive-green t-shirt, was identified as a face-swap manipulation.

What happened

The manipulated image was tracked and analyzed for authenticity, with assessments indicating the use of generative AI tools. The content gained traction on social media platforms, including Reddit, where it was shared under the title "charlie posted." The post generated significant engagement, receiving a score of 115 and an upvote ratio of 0.98.

Discussion surrounding the image suggests it may have been created in the context of ongoing online commentary and interpersonal rivalries. Users noted the image's circulation across various media outlets, including E! News and TMZ. The creation of the deepfake has been interpreted by some observers as a form of retaliatory content related to previous public disputes and online interactions involving the individuals depicted.