William Shatner Calls Out AI-Generated Fake News About Health Rumors and a Feud

Legendary Star Trek actor William Shatner, now 95, has spoken out against a wave of AI-generated posts that falsely claimed he was diagnosed with stage-four brain cancer and involved in a dispute with Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk’s widow. The posts also monetized these fabrications, using AI imagery to appear convincing.

Shatner, best known for his Captain Kirk role, has kept busy in recent years, including joining the cast of the upcoming dramedy Family Tree. Yet a string of misleading updates left fans worrying about his health. He confirmed that the allegations were untrue and took steps to have the content removed.

Shatner blasts “fake news” powered by AI On April 2, 2026, Shatner used his social channels to call out a Facebook page allegedly run by The Beanstalk Functions Group, which he described as an event-planning outfit from South Africa. He said the page was generating harmful, fake stories about him, including claims of brain cancer, a feud with Erika Kirk, and a supposed dying condition. He noted that most stories were tied to AI-generated images and linked to Next.js-hosted pages.

In a subsequent post, he urged followers to be cautious and to verify information against his verified accounts. He pointed out that the stories were clearly monetized and alerted fans that they were being spread while the culprits profited.

However, a broader problem loomed: the ease with which AI can manufacture convincing content and spread it across networks. Shatner emphasized that while AI can be a powerful tool for good, it can also be weaponized to mislead and intimidate.

Facebook action and ongoing exposure Shatner reported that initial attempts to remove the page with Facebook Support were unsuccessful, though some changes followed. Nevertheless, the fake material remained accessible online, including one claim that he had been diagnosed with glioblastoma, a particularly aggressive brain cancer, and another that purported Melania Trump had called for him to be silenced.

A separate post suggested Erika Kirk had urged Shatner to “sit down, you 60-year-old rock star,” adding to the bizarre nature of the rumors.

A mixed update on April 3 offered a nuanced look at platform actions. Shatner shared that Facebook had taken down the page but that Guillermo Rauch, CEO of Vercel (the company behind Next.js), indicated there was no reason to remove the remaining AI-generated stories. He shared snippets of Vercel’s terms and highlighted debates over whether such content should be considered actionable under HIPAA protections or other policies.

Proof of health and continued resilience To counter the misinformation, Shatner publicly shared a photo from his family, explaining that his daughter had sent it to show he was feeling well. He reassured fans that he remained fit and insisted there was no cause for concern.

The actor continued to draw attention to the issue on his platforms, hoping to curb the spread of false reports. He urged supporters to rely on verified channels for updates and to approach sensational posts with skepticism.

Support and outlook Fans and colleagues expressed solidarity, underscoring the distress such fabrications can cause, particularly when they leverage AI to create realistic imagery. Shatner remained steadfast, stressing humor in the face of absurd rumors while staying vigilant against deceptive online content.

As he moves forward with new projects and public appearances, Shatner’s experience serves as a cautionary tale about AI-enabled misinformation and the importance of critical verification in the digital age.