US Workers Fired Over Charlie Kirk Posts Face Lawsuits And Settlements

According to the BBC, hundreds of Americans were fired or disciplined after posting critical comments about conservative activist Charlie Kirk following his killing on 10 September, and some have since won settlements or reinstatement. The cases include former sports writer Gerald Bourguet, Tennessee professor Tamar Shirinian, theatre professor Darren Michael, and Florida wildlife biologist Brittney Brown, with payouts ranging from $485,000 to $1.9 million in the cases cited. The BBC reported that employers acted after a pressure campaign that included calls from Vice-President JD Vance to contact workers' bosses, while White House spokesperson Davis Ingle said anyone who endorses political violence or assassination culture should be condemned. Reuters counted more than 600 instances last November, though the BBC said that was likely an undercount. Bourguet said he was fired after criticizing Kirk online, while Brown, Shirinian and Michael also lost jobs over posts or reposts related to Kirk's death or views.