They lost their jobs after posting about Charlie Kirk, but some have no regrets

What the report says

BBC World News reports that a wave of job losses and discipline followed public posts about Charlie Kirk after his fatal shooting at Utah Valley University on 10 September 2025. The story focuses on people who said they were punished for online comments criticising Kirk or, in some cases, reposting material linked to his views. Among them was Gerald Bourguet, a sports writer who was fired after writing critically about Kirk soon after the killing. He told the BBC he has since had to relocate with his family and start over, though he does not regret his comments.

The article says the reaction quickly became a national flashpoint in the US, with conservative figures and some public officials urging people to report critics to employers. Employers in both the public and private sectors responded in many cases, while the BBC notes that reliable totals are difficult to confirm. It cites a Reuters count from last year of more than 600 instances, likely an undercount.

BBC World News also reports that several of those dismissed have pursued legal action, with some securing large settlements or reinstatement. Examples include payouts for wildlife biologist Brittney Brown and theatre professor Darren Michael, while anthropologist Tamar Shirinian’s case led to a multimillion-dollar settlement. The report adds that some cases remain pending and that outcomes vary depending on whether workers are in public institutions, unionised roles, or private-sector at-will employment.