After Charlie Kirk's death, teachers and professors nationwide fired or disciplined over social media posts

Following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk this
week, educators across the country have found themselves facing swift
termination or potential discipline after allegedly sharing opinions on
social media about the killing. 

At least a dozen faculty and staff, from school board officials to
classroom teachers, have been met with fallout over insensitive posts
about Kirk’s death. In at least two instances, universities fired staff
members entirely for posts deemed inappropriate. 

Many other educators have been suspended or are under investigation, and
the number is likely to grow as conservative online influencers share
screenshots. 

At East Tennessee State University, two faculty members have been placed
on administrative leave pending further review, school spokesperson Jess
Vodden said. Complaints sent to the university included screenshots of
Facebook comments, according to copies the school shared with NBC News,
that one faculty member allegedly made in response to Kirk’s death,
including “you reap what you sow.” Another allegedly wrote, “This isn’t
a tragedy. It’s a victory.” 

Vodden said the university had received “numerous complaints” about the
posts. “Because this is a personnel issue, we cannot offer further
comment at this time,” she said. 

Middle Tennessee State University fired a staff member, according to a
statement shared Wednesday by President Sidney McPhee. 

State officials are weighing in as well, with the Florida Department of
Education sending a memo to school district superintendents Thursday,
threatening investigation and disciplinary action against educators who
have commented on Kirk’s death in a manner it deems inappropriate. 

“It has been brought to my attention that some Florida educators have
posted despicable comments on social media regarding the horrific
assassination of Charlie Kirk,” said the memo, signed by Florida
education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas. “I will be conducting an
investigation of every educator who engages in this vile, sanctionable
behavior.” 

Oklahoma’s state superintendent, Ryan Walters, similarly promised to
investigate teachers making incendiary comments on social media about
Kirk’s death, and he confirmed his department is investigating one
middle school educator called out on X. 

Kirk, the 31-year-old co-founder of conservative activist organization
Turning Point USA, was killed Wednesday during an event at Utah Valley
University, a public school south of Salt Lake City. Officials on Friday
identified a 22-year-old Utah resident, now in custody, as the suspect
in the shooting. 

Kirk was shot and killed during one of his regular events on college
campuses hosted by Turning Point USA. The organization grew since 2012
to claim over 800 college campus chapters and 1,000 high school clubs,
and it is credited with helping Donald Trump win a higher share of young
voters. 

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/charlie-kirk-death-teachers-professo
rs-nationwide-fired-disciplined-s-rcna230845