In order for a threat to be a threat, then a penalty or undesirable threat must be overtly manifest as a potential outcome, or implied.

"Knock it off" is a clear direction. It is unambiguous. It has military significance, but that notwithstanding, the meaning is clear. It says "stop." Just stop.

The person making that command is a moderator. The moderators have already deleted numous posts in this thread because it's gone off the rails repeatedly (in every case, pursuing rumors and speculation, often presented as fact, and in a number of cases, presented as "inside information" that was sure...and has since proven false).

Knock-it-off seems a reasonable, legitimate response. Why so difficult to comprehend?