Shatner took to social media to address the misinformation, stating he wanted to put it out earlier but waited to avoid it looking like a joke. He described how a Facebook page called 'Beanstalk Functions Group' employed artificial intelligence to generate false news about him. According to Shatner, the page used AI to create horrible fake news stories about him, including claims that he has stage 4 brain cancer, was in a fight with Erika Kirk, and is dying, with all stories monetized and most using AI-generated images of him.
Shatner attempted to have the content removed by reporting the Facebook page to Meta, but at the time of his statement, the platform had not taken it down. He also contacted the group's apparent CEO, asking him to remove the stories, though the identity and response of this individual remain unknown. However, a Meta spokesperson later confirmed to People that the Facebook page was removed for violating its policies, but the specific actions Meta took beyond this confirmation are unclear.
Fans reposted the fake stories across social media and sent messages of support to Shatner and his family, highlighting how convincing the AI-generated content appeared. Shatner noted that none of the stories are true but they seemed genuine enough for fans to repost them and send support messages while the culprits made money. He learned about the false reports through his family, emphasizing the personal impact.
The extent of financial gain the culprits made from the monetized stories is not known, and it is uncertain whether any legal action is being considered against the creators. Regarding his actual health, Shatner was rushed to the hospital towards the end of last year after a medical emergency involving his blood sugar. He reassured fans that he had only overindulged and was fine, stating that rumors of his demise have been greatly exaggerated and he is perfectly fine.
To further demonstrate his good health, he posted a photograph. Shatner dismissed claims circulating online that he is suffering from stage 4 brain cancer, reiterating his well-being. He reflected on the broader implications, saying this is the downside of AI and yellow journalism, noting it can be a wonderful tool in the right hands but a weapon in the wrong hands.
He advised the public that if they see a bizarre story about him, unless it is posted on one of his verified accounts, they should take it with a grain of salt. How many fans believed the AI-generated images were real, as Shatner mentioned being surprised, is also unknown.