Public figures, academics and everyday business owners face the consequences of comments that include jokes, celebrations, or other meditations.
The State Department warns foreigners after Charlie Kirk’s murder
Deputy Chief Christopher Landau said, “The foreigners who praise violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country.”
As the nation tackled the September 10th assassination of Charlie Kirk, some found themselves in work due to their reaction to violence.
Public figures, academics and everyday business owners face the consequences of comments and social media posts that include other meditations that have attracted celebrations and quick backlash. A similar phenomenon occurred in 2024 after an attempt to assassinate President Donald Trump, who was campaigning for the office.
“No matter how private your life is, everyone has an audience,” Karen North, a professor of digital social media at the University of Southern California and psychologist, told USA Today in 2024 after his assassination attempt. “And there’s always an audience for people to cheate.”
Mourners praise Kirk as the leader of the conservative movement.
“We all lost our leaders, mentors and friends. Above all, our hearts were Erica and their two children. Charlie was the ideal husband and the perfect father,” Kirk’s organization, Turning Point USA, said in a statement. “More than anything, I ask you to pray for the Kirks after the incomprehensible loss they have suffered.”
The organization previously drew criticism from its enemies that discovered its conservative position was split. But leaders across the political spectrum have condemned the shootings and escalations of political violence in all forms.
This is something we know so far about some of the shootings, halts and other employment-related actions that sparked Kirk’s assassination.
MSNBC host was fired for comment made on live television
MSNBC reportedly apologised to analyst Matthew Dowd for on-air comments about the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, according to multiple media outlets.
In an interview with MSNBC about the shooting, Dowd said he was called Kirk Divisive and adopted “hate speech” aimed at specific groups.
“And I always come back and hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which lead to hateful behavior,” Dowd said. “And I think that’s the environment we’re in.”
Dowd posted an apology to X on September 11th, saying, “My thoughts and prayers are Charlie Kirk’s family and friends. In his previous appearance on MSNBC, he was asked about the circumstances we were in. I apologize for my tone and words.”
Dean was fired from the University of Tennessee on a social media post
According to a university statement, the dean of Middle Tennessee State’s former dean was fired after making “inappropriate and ruthless comments.” According to a previous USA Today report, comments were revealed after Sen. Marsha Blackburn reposted a screenshot of comments Dean made online about the assassination.
“This person should be ashamed of her post,” the senator, who recently announced her run to the governor of Tennessee, said in a post on X.
“The comments by this employee, who worked in a position of direct trust with students, contradicts our values and undermines the credibility and reputation of the university’s students, faculty, staff and the community as a whole,” the university said in a statement published on its website.
Ole Miss fires employees over social media posts
University of Mississippi Prime Minister Glenn F. Boyce said the employee was let go on Thursday, September 11th due to comments on the assassination.
He said in a statement that an unidentified employee shared “harmful and insensitive comments on social media” after Kirk was killed. Jackson, Mississippi and Clarion leaders, part of the USA Today Network, reported that a social media post from state auditor Shad White cited screenshots of Instagram posts from an account that stems from Lauren Uncapher Stokes, known as Kirk.
USA Today reached out through an Instagram account that White referenced, but did not receive a response immediately. White shared a post identifying Stokes as the school’s deputy prime minister’s executive assistant.
Panthers fire employees on social media post
The Carolina Panthers communications coordinator was reportedly fired in an Instagram post that referenced Kirk’s murder.
The team posted on X on September 11th: “The views expressed by employees are unique and do not represent the views of the Carolina Panthers. We do not tolerate any kind of violence. We take this issue very seriously and deal with the individual accordingly.”
Cincinnati Restaurants Lose Contracts by Owner’s Post
Lucius Q, a Cincinnati barbecue restaurant, lost its contract with local stadium TQL Stadium after owner Aaron Sharp commented on Kirk’s assassination in a Facebook post.
The original post said “I pray for Charlie Kirk,” reported Enquirer, part of the USA Today Network.
“Good Riddance,” Sharp replied, letting Kirk.
Lucius Q announced on its Facebook page at 8pm on September 11th that Sharpe was not associated with the restaurant. “We discovered he found offensive comments on his personal social media pages, and as a result, he cut off ties with him,” the statement said according to Cincinnati Enquirer, part of the USA Today Network.
The Enquirer attempted to reach Sharpe via phone, email, or Facebook messages, but received no immediate response.
Contributions: Thao Nguyen, Jeanine Santucci, Joey Garrison, Fernando Cervantes Jr., Jay Stahl, Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today; Erin Grin, Cincinnati Enkiller. Bonnie Bolden, Mississippi Clarion Leisure
Phaedra Trethan is a national correspondent with USA Today. Please contact her by email at ptrethan@usatoday.com
Julia Gomez is a trend reporter for USA Today. Connect with her on LinkedIn, xInstagram and Tiktok: @juliamaigz, or email her to jgomez@hannett.com
Melina Kahn is a national trending reporter for USA Today. She can be contacted at melina.khan@usatoday.com.
