Charlie Kirk Assassination Fallout: Public Backlash Costs Jobs Across the Country
The aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination is reverberating far beyond the Utah campus where the conservative activist was shot, with some individuals reportedly losing their jobs over comments celebrating his death. Reports suggest that teachers, firefighters, journalists, politicians, and even a Secret Service employee have been caught in the widening backlash.
Stephen King Sparks Controversy
Kirk, 31, was killed on September 10 during an event at Utah Valley University. Tributes poured in from across the political spectrum, including former President Donald Trump and Melania Trump, who offered condolences to Kirk’s widow, Erika, and their two children. Even President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris condemned the killing.
Not all commentary, however, was sympathetic. On X, renowned horror author Stephen King responded to Fox News host Jesse Watters, who had described Kirk as neither “controversial” nor “polarizing.” In a now-deleted tweet, King wrote: “He advocated stoning gays to death. Just sayin’.” Elon Musk called King a “liar,” prompting the author to apologize.
Online Targeting of “Insensitive” Posts
A new website, Expose Charlie’s Murderers, quickly emerged with the mission of “exposing” employees and students who appear to support political violence online. The site lists names, employers, and social media profiles, and according to Reuters, some individuals have already faced professional consequences.
Political analyst Matthew Dowd was fired from MSNBC after commenting that Kirk was “one of the most divisive” figures, alleging he had a history of “pushing hate speech… sort of aimed at certain groups.” Dowd made the remarks while discussing the broader environment surrounding the shooting. MSNBC President Rebecca Kutler called his statements “inappropriate, insensitive, and unacceptable,” and Variety confirmed Dowd, 64, had been terminated.
Corporate and Academic Consequences
DC Comics canceled its new Red Hood series after writer Gretchen Felker-Martin appeared to celebrate Kirk’s death. The company stated, “Posts or public comments that can be viewed as promoting hostility or violence are inconsistent with DC’s standards of conduct.”
At Middle Tennessee State University, a staff member was terminated immediately after posting that she had “zero sympathy” for Kirk. University President Sidney McPhee said the remarks “undermined the university’s credibility and reputation.”
In professional sports, Carolina Panthers communications coordinator Charlie Rock posted: “Why are yall sad? Your man said it was worth it …” Fox News reported that Rock was subsequently fired, with the team affirming it does not “condone violence of any kind.”
Nasdaq also terminated a junior sustainability strategist over social media commentary regarding Kirk’s assassination. A company spokesperson stated, “Nasdaq has a zero-tolerance policy toward violence and any commentary that condones or celebrates violence.”
Backlash Intensifies
Researcher Parker Thayer estimated that as many as 60 people may have lost jobs over posts related to Kirk’s death. Far-right commentators have amplified the campaign. Activist Laura Loomer warned that anyone “sick enough” to celebrate Kirk’s death could have their “whole future professional aspirations ruined.” Congressman Clay Higgins wrote that anyone caught expressing celebratory comments about the murder should be “banned from ALL PLATFORMS FOREVER.”
The swift and widespread professional consequences underscore the heightened scrutiny surrounding public commentary in the wake of politically charged violence and reflect a growing awareness among employers and institutions about the potential ramifications of online behavior.
