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Topics: Charlie Kirk, US News, Politics, Gun Crime, Social Media, Twitter
Ella Scott
Topics: Charlie Kirk, US News, Politics, Gun Crime, Social Media, Twitter
US citizens are reportedly being fired for negatively remarking on the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, with casualties allegedly including university educators, political analysts, and people associated with NFL teams.
On Wednesday (September 10), conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated during a campus event at Utah Valley University.
The 31-year-old was a close ally of US President Donald Trump, who has expressed his and First Lady Melania Trump’s ‘sympathies’ for his wife, Erika Kirk, and their young children.
A myriad of celebrities have also paid their respects, alongside political figures like former US President Barack Obama and Trump’s 2024 Presidential Election opponent, Kamala Harris.
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Both have condemned Kirk’s killing, the investigation of which is ongoing.
Other prominent figures, such as horror author Stephen King, have made comments that some have blasted as ‘insensitive’ online.
The 77-year-old said that Kirk allegedly wanted to ‘stone gays to death’, a remark he has since apologized for after Elon Musk called him a ‘liar’.
Reuters reported that a new website called ‘Expose Charlie’s Murderers’ has been set up by campaigners. The aim is to ‘expose’ employees or students who are ‘supporting political violence online’.
It has the names of numerous social media users who have allegedly made comments about the father-of-two’s killing online.
Some of these people have their full name listed, as well as their location, employer details, as well as Instagram and Facebook profiles.
According to a Reuters tally based on interviews, public statements, and local press reports, a handful of people have lost their jobs because of comments made online.
One of these is believed to be political analyst Matthew Dowd, who was reportedly fired from MSNBC after calling Kirk one of the ‘most divisive’ young political figures.
In a conversation, he alleged the deceased was known for ‘pushing hate speech… sort of aimed at certain groups’ whilst he was alive.
MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler has since slammed Dowd’s comments, calling them ‘inappropriate, insensitive, and unacceptable’ in an apology shared via the company’s X account.
Variety reported that a network source confirmed the 64-year-old has since been fired from his position.
Meanwhile, DC Comics has abruptly canceled its new monthly Batman spinoff, Red Hood, after its proposed writer, Gretchen Felker-Martin, appeared to celebrate Kirk’s assassination in social media posts.
In a statement, DC Comics said it placed the ‘highest value on [its] creators and community and affirms the right to peaceful, individual expression of personal viewpoints.
“Posts or public comments that can be viewed as promoting hostility or violence are inconsistent with DC’s standards of conduct,” the statement added.
A handful of educators have also allegedly been permanently suspended from their roles, according to NDTV.
One of these people worked at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), according to a statement from Sidney McPhee, the institution’s president.
He said that comments made by the person were ‘inconsistent with our values and have undermined the university’s credibility and reputation with our students, faculty, staff and the community at large’.
They added that the employee has ‘been fired effectively immediately’.
Meanwhile, Newsweek reported that Charlie Rock, a football communications coordinator for the Carolina Panthers, posted an image of Kirk on X with the caption: “Why are yall sad? Your man said it was worth it ...”
In a statement, the NFL side said it did not ‘condone violence of any kind’ and they were ‘taking this matter very seriously and [had] accordingly addressed it with the individual’.
Fox News reported Rock’s firing, citing a source briefed on the situation.
According to an X thread, posted by investigative researcher Parker Thayer, up to 60 people may have lost their jobs after allegedly making remarks about the activist’s assassination.
Conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer has said that anyone who is ‘sick enough’ to celebrate Kirk’s death will have their ‘whole future professional aspirations ruined’ by far-right protestors.
Meanwhile, US lawmaker Clay Higgins typed that anyone caught running ‘their mouth with their smartass hatred celebrating the heinous murder of that beautiful young man’ needed to be ‘banned from ALL PLATFORMS FOREVER.’
Police have named the suspect in the killing of Kirk as Tyler Robinson, a Utah native who is currently being held without bail.
Officials are still working to uncover a solid motive for the assassination.