Backlash over Charlie Kirk Assassination Posts Leads to Firings across US
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Several individuals across the United States have lost their jobs or faced disciplinary action after posting celebratory or critical remarks online in response to the Sept. 10 assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Public figures, educators, corporate workers, and business owners were dismissed or suspended following online posts that drew swift condemnation.
Similar reactions were reported after the 2024 assassination attempt on then US presidential candidate Donald Trump.
By Sept. 13, dismissals included a Secret Service agent, a US Marine, a Nasdaq employee, and a retail worker.
“Everybody has an audience,” said Karen North, a digital media professor at the University of Southern California.
“There’s always an audience for people misbehaving.”
Authorities continue investigating the shooting, as mourners describe Kirk as a prominent voice in the conservative movement.
“Charlie was the ideal husband and the perfect father,” Turning Point USA said in a statement, asking for prayers for Kirk’s family.
Politicians across the spectrum condemned the killing and warned against rising political violence.
MSNBC parted ways with analyst Matthew Dowd following remarks about Kirk on-air.
Dowd described the activist as divisive and accused him of using “hate speech.”
He later apologized on social media, writing, “My thoughts & prayers are w/ the family and friends of Charlie Kirk.”
At Middle Tennessee State University, an assistant dean of students was dismissed after Sen. Marsha Blackburn reposted her online comments.
“The comments … were inconsistent with our values and have undermined the university’s credibility,” the institution said.
The University of Mississippi also terminated an employee for “hurtful, insensitive comments” shared online.
Screenshots circulated by state auditor Shad White linked the posts to a university assistant.
The Carolina Panthers fired a communications coordinator for Instagram posts referencing Kirk’s death.
“The views expressed by our employees are their own … we do not condone violence,” the team said.
In Cincinnati, restaurant Lucius Q lost its contract with TQL Stadium after its owner replied “Good riddance” to a Facebook post about Kirk.
The restaurant announced it had severed ties with him.
Kirk’s death has highlighted the consequences of online speech and intensified scrutiny of public expressions made in the wake of political violence.
