A WAVE of firings has hit schools, universities, and even sports teams after employees were caught posing shocking reactions to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The moves have spread across multiple states since the 31-year-old Turning Point USA founder was fatally shot while speaking at Utah Valley University.
At the University of Mississippi, Chancellor Glenn Boyce confirmed a staffer was terminated[/caption]
31-year-old Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was fatally shot while speaking at Utah Valley University[/caption]
MSNBC reportedly cut ties with political analyst Matthew Dowd (stock)[/caption]
At the University of Mississippi, Chancellor Glenn Boyce confirmed a staffer was terminated after re-sharing a post online that mocked Kirk’s killing.
“Yesterday, a University of Mississippi staff member re-shared hurtful, insensitive comments on social media regarding the tragic murder of Charlie Kirk,” Boyce said in a statement.
“These comments run completely counter to our institutional values of civility, fairness, and respecting the dignity of each person. This staff member is no longer employed by the university.”
At Middle Tennessee State, an assistant dean of students lost her position after writing: “Looks like ol’ Charlie spoke his fate into existence. Hate begets hate. ZERO sympathy.”
University President Sidney McPhee described the response as “inappropriate and callous” about Kirk’s death.
McPhee said the staffer worked directly with students and their post “undermined the university’s credibility and reputation.”
“This employee has been fired effective immediately,” he said, while extending condolences to the Kirk family.
In Wisconsin, a teacher at Laconia High School was placed on administrative leave following backlash over her Facebook post.
She had described Kirk as “a racist, xenophobic, transphobic, Islamophobic, sexist, white nationalist mouthpiece who made millions of dollars inciting hatred in this country,” adding she felt “no empathy for people like that.”
Superintendent Wayne Weber said the district is reviewing the matter but stressed its responsibility to maintain a safe learning environment.
In Iowa, the controversy reached Oskaloosa High School, where a teacher was placed on leave pending school board action after allegedly posting: “1 Nazi down.”
Screenshots of the post spread quickly before the teacher’s Facebook account was deleted.
Superintendent Mike Fisher said the board will meet September 17 to consider his recommendation to terminate the teacher’s contract.
Elected officials reaction to Charlie Kirk shooting
- Vice President JD Vance: “Dear God, protect Charlie in his darkest hour.”
- Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg: “Political violence must be always and totally rejected,” Buttigieg wrote on X. “Praying for him and all who may have been injured or impacted.”
- California Governor Gavin Newsom: “The attack on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, vile, and reprehensible. In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form.”
- Illinois Governor JB Pritzker: “The attack on Charlie Kirk is horrifying. Political violence has no place in this country and should never become the norm. I’m sending my sympathies to his family and friends at this time.”
- Florida Governor Ron DeSantis: “The way to resolve political disputes is not through violence. The way to do that is to ask questions, debate. An attack on the idea that we resolve these things through reasoned debate and elections.”
- NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani: I’m horrified by the shooting of Charlie Kirk at a college event in Utah. Political violence has no place in our country.”
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: “Praying for @charliekirk11″
FIRINGS BEYOND SCHOOLS
Meanwhile, the fallout spread beyond schools, reaching media, sports, politics, and even law enforcement.
The executive director of the Wausau River District lost her job after adding clapping emojis to a post about Kirk’s death, writing “well deserved.”
MSNBC reportedly cut ties with political analyst Matthew Dowd after he suggested Kirk’s rhetoric helped fuel his own assassination.
Dowd, who also speculated the shooter could have been a Kirk supporter, was dismissed the same day.
“Matthew Dowd made comments that were inappropriate, insensitive and unacceptable,” MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler said in a statement apologizing for the remarks.
A Carolina Panthers PR employee was dismissed after posting a photo of Kirk captioned: “Why are yall sad? Your man said it was worth it.”
A Phoenix Suns reporter was also terminated after writing that refusing to mourn Kirk “is not the same thing as celebrating gun violence.”
The US Secret Service placed agent Anthony Pough on leave and revoked his clearance after he wrote on Facebook that Kirk had “spewed hate and racism” and suggested his death was karma.
“The Secret Service will not tolerate behavior that violates our code of conduct,” the agency said.
Aaron Sharpe, co-owner of Cincinnati’s Lucius Q BBQ, was dropped from the business after writing “Good riddance! What a piece of s***” just hours after Kirk was assassinated.
The post, made in response to a Facebook prayer for Kirk, went viral after being reshared by conservative commentator Gunther Eagleman.
Sharpe later doubled down, writing: “If you think threats of social media attacks on me or my business will in any way keep me silent about what I believe, you are sorely mistaken. I know exactly who I am and on what side of history I stand.”
But his words cost him dearly.
Kirk was killed September 10 when a single shot struck him in the neck during a Q&A session with students in Orem, Utah.
Police have since identified 22-year-old Tyler Robinson as the suspected gunman.
He was arrested on Thursday and pictured for the first time following the shocking assassination.
The moves have spread across multiple states since the 31-year-old Turning Point USA founder was fatally shot[/caption]
Kirk’s assassination sparked national backlash, leading to multiple firings[/caption]
Police have since identified 22-year-old Tyler Robinson as the suspected gunman[/caption]
