Below is the content of an email sent from the Southern Workers Initiative to the Wall Street Journal editorial board on 9/12/2025.
We are writing on behalf of the Southern Workers Initiative to express our profound concern and outrage regarding your recent article, “Early Bulletin Said Ammunition in Kirk Shooting Engraved With Transgender, Antifascist Ideology; Some Sources Urge Caution,” which reported that the shooter responsible for the attack on Charlie Kirk in Utah had engraved “transgender ideology” into the bullets used in the shooting. This claim has since been definitively proven false by law enforcement officials and independent investigations.
Despite this, your publication chose to amplify an unverified and sensationalized narrative, which has since circulated widely, fueling hostility and endangering the lives of transgender people across the country. In an era where misinformation can have immediate and violent consequences, it is deeply irresponsible for a publication of your stature to prioritize a sensational narrative over factual accuracy.
The repercussions of your reporting have been severe. Transgender individuals, already vulnerable to discrimination and violence, have faced increased threats, harassment, and hostility as a direct result of this false narrative. Your article has been weaponized by bad-faith actors to further stigmatize and target an already marginalized community.
We demand that The Wall Street Journal issue a formal and prominent retraction of this false claim,accompanied by a clear apology for the harm caused. Additionally, we urge you to take concrete steps to ensure that your reporting practices prioritize accuracy and accountability, particularly when covering issues that involve vulnerable communities.
Journalism carries a profound responsibility to truth and public safety. When errors occur, it is imperative that they be corrected swiftly and transparently to mitigate harm. We expect The Wall Street Journal to uphold these standards.
Please respond to this letter within five business days to confirm your intention to issue a retraction. Failure to do so will only further erode public trust in your publication and perpetuate the damage already caused.