More than 600 people in the United States were fired or disciplined over social media posts about conservative activist Charlie Kirk following his assassination on September 10, a Reuters tally found. Kirk was fatally shot at Utah Valley University.
Kirk, who founded Turning Point USA, was a divisive figure in US politics. Supporters saw him as skilled in making conservative ideas appeal to young people, while opponents found his comments on race, immigration, gun control and gender identity deeply offensive.
Gerald Bourguet, a 35-year-old basketball writer for PHNX Sports, was among those dismissed. Hours after the shooting he posted a series of comments describing Kirk as an “evil man” and criticising his supporters. Screenshots went viral, his home address was exposed online, and he began receiving threatening messages. His family fled the state with their four-month-old son before returning to sell their house and relocate permanently.
“My life will never be the same after this,” Bourguet told the BBC. “At age 35, I am having to start over in a lot of respects… I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy.” He said he did not regret his comments.
The disciplinary cases spanned public and private employers. In Tennessee, anthropology professor Tamar Shirinian was suspended and later fired over a Facebook comment. A Delta Air Lines flight attendant was fired after posting “good riddance,” and an Office Depot employee was dismissed for refusing to print flyers for a Kirk vigil.
Some fired workers were later reinstated or received restitution reaching into the millions. The Reuters figure is likely an undercount, as not all cases drew press attention.
The push for punishment reached the highest levels of government. “When you see someone celebrating Charlie’s murder, call them out,” Vice-President JD Vance said days after the assassination. “And hell, call their employer.” Right-wing commentator Laura Loomer warned Kirk’s critics to “prepare to have your whole future professional aspirations ruined.”
Critics on the left argued there was a distinction between criticising Kirk and celebrating his death, and accused conservative leaders of hypocrisy after years of condemning “cancel culture.” Jordan Pace, a Republican member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, defended the dismissals. “Cancel culture can be good, it’s bad when it’s applied in the wrong ways,” he said, adding that shaming those who celebrated an assassination was “an appropriate way for society to function.”
One of Pace’s posts was re-shared by President Donald Trump.