Dismissals and Legal Proceedings Following Charlie Kirk Posts
Hundreds of people lost their jobs or faced disciplinary action due to social media posts following the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in September 2025.
Following the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk during his speech at Utah Valley University in September 2025, hundreds of employees across the United States who made critical social media posts were fired or subjected to disciplinary action. While private sector employees experienced major personal hardships, some employees dismissed from public institutions secured significant financial settlements as a result of lawsuits they filed.
Social Media Posts and Initial Reactions
Immediately following the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University in September 2025, hundreds of individuals who made critical posts online became targets.
During this process, figures like sports writer Gerald Bourguet lost their jobs after their posts spread rapidly and were forced to relocate to another state after receiving threatening messages.
Pressure Campaigns by Political Figures
Following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, certain political figures and commentators in the US called on the public to report critics.
Lawmakers and politicians openly supported pressure campaigns against the employers of individuals who criticized or celebrated Kirk's death.
Hundreds of Employees Disciplined
Both private and public employers across the US moved swiftly to discipline numerous employees over social media posts.
According to data from last November, over 600 employees were identified as having been fired or penalized, though the true figure is believed to be higher.
Lawsuits Won by Public Employees
Fired public and unionized employees filed numerous lawsuits on the grounds that their freedom of speech was violated, and these cases resulted in substantial payouts.
Public institution and university workers such as Brittney Brown, Tamar Shirinian, and Darren Michael won hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages and the right to reinstatement through their legal battles.
The Situation of Private Sector Employees
For individuals like Gerald Bourguet, who worked in the private sector under "at-will" employment contracts, seeking legal recourse proved to be an extremely difficult process.
Despite the heavy professional and personal costs they endured, many of those dismissed state that they do not regret their actions and do not hesitate to express their views.