Public figures have faced severe backlash and job losses after mocking the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah. Outrage erupted across social media following his death, prompting swift action from employers.
Among those dismissed was MSNBC political analyst Matthew Dowd, who suggested that Kirk"s murder may have been committed by one of his supporters. Dowd later issued an apology, but it was too late to save his position. Similarly, Carolina Panthers employee Charlie Rock was terminated for making a mocking Instagram post that quoted Kirk"s own words about the Second Amendment.
Other notable casualties include writer Gretchen Felker-Martin, who lost her contract with DC Comics after labeling Kirk a "Nazi" in a post on Bluesky. Additionally, educators Kristen Eve, Laura Soch-Lightsy, and Professor Ann Luna-Gordineer were either suspended or fired for derogatory comments regarding Kirk"s death, referring to him as "trash." U.S. Department of Justice employee Terry Pinkham Vandermark and Oxford Union President George Abaraonye were also criticized for similar posts.
Employers have emphasized that such statements are unacceptable, reflecting a broader societal condemnation of the mocking of violence, particularly in the wake of Kirk"s murder. As the situation unfolds, it highlights the increasing accountability public figures face for their online behavior. For more on this topic, see our recent developments surrounding Kirk"s tragic death.
