William Shatner Denounces AI Hoax on Health, Clashes with Erika Kirk

William Shatner urged the public to ignore alarming social posts that falsely claim he is gravely ill. He posted a warning on Instagram on Thursday and asked followers to be cautious about strange reports online.

The false claims

Multiple posts alleged Shatner had stage 4 brain cancer and was dying. Others claimed he had been involved in a physical dispute with Erika Kirk.

The accounts behind the stories reportedly used AI-generated images. Each post included a link to a website hosted on Next.js.

Origin and amplification

The Facebook page identified by Shatner is called The Beanstalk Functions Group. He said the page appeared to present itself as an event planner in South Africa.

Those behind the content monetized the posts. Fans reposted the stories, which amplified the falsehoods and brought distress to his family.

Shatner’s response

Shatner wrote that he delayed his statement to avoid appearing flippant. He asked followers to treat bizarre health rumors with skepticism.

He later shared a recent photo showing him well and smiling. He said his granddaughter had heard the cancer rumor, prompting him to post proof he was healthy.

Actions taken

Shatner said he contacted the CEO of the company that hosts the linked sites via X. He urged the removal of the fake stories and their pages.

Facebook initially would not remove the page, according to Shatner. The company later told Filmogaz.com the page was taken down for violating policies.

Broader concerns

Shatner highlighted the darker side of AI and tabloid-style reporting. He described how synthetic images and automated copy can make false reports seem credible.

He insisted he was “fit as a fiddle” and criticized those profiting from fabricated stories. Fans were advised to verify reports before sharing them.

• The Beanstalk Functions Group was named as the source.
• Claims included stage 4 brain cancer and a fight with Erika Kirk.
• Stories used AI images and were hosted via Next.js links.
• Facebook later removed the page for policy violations.

Shatner denounced an AI hoax about his health and rejected claims of a clash with Erika Kirk. He urged readers to verify information and to beware of monetized misinformation.