Spirited Backlash: How Criticizing Charlie Kirk Cost Hundreds Their Jobs

It was September 2025 when Gerald Bourguet seemed to have achieved the American dream. The professional sports writer had recently purchased a home complete with a pool, welcomed a newborn son, and was pursuing his career writing about men’s basketball.

That stability vanished hours after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot on September 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University. Bourguet took to social media to condemn Kirk, calling him an “evil man” who had dedicated his life to hateful causes. He also criticized Kirk’s supporters, noting their silence regarding school shootings.

“I had seen the way that people were talking about this person – kind of eulogising him and lionising him and it bothered me based on a lot of the things he had said,” Bourguet told the BBC.

Screenshots of his comments spread rapidly. Within days, Bourguet was fired, doxxed, and bombarded with threats. Fearing for his family’s safety, he fled the state with his infant son. Although they eventually returned to sell the house, Bourguet, now 35, acknowledged that his life would never be the same.

A year later, sitting in a new location undisclosed to the press, Bourguet stated he harbors no regrets about his words, despite the professional devastation. His former employer, PHNX Sports, declined to comment on the dismissal.

A Nationwide Purge

Bourguet is not an isolated case. In the turbulent wake of Kirk’s assassination—a man who founded the influential youth organization Turning Point USA—hundreds of individuals across the United States lost their livelihoods over online commentary. While Kirk was revered by many on the political right for his ability to rally young conservatives, opponents viewed his stances on race, immigration, and gun control as deeply offensive.

The backlash against critics was swift and organized. Influential right-wing commentator Laura Loomer warned followers to “prepare to have your whole future professional aspirations ruined.” High-ranking officials amplified the call for accountability. Vice President JD Vance urged the public to call out those celebrating Kirk’s death, explicitly advising them to “call their employer.” White House spokesperson Davis Ingle condemned anyone endorsing “assassination culture” in the harshest terms.

While some defended the pressure campaigns as appropriate societal responses to celebrating violence, others labeled it hypocritical “cancel culture.” South Carolina State Representative Jordan Pace argued that shaming those who celebrate political assassinations is a necessary function of society, a stance that even drew a share from former President Donald Trump.

The Human and Financial Toll

Exact numbers are difficult to pinpoint, but a Reuters tally from November recorded over 600 instances of firing or discipline—a figure likely representing only the tip of the iceberg. The disciplinary actions ranged from blatant glee to minor associations.

In Tennessee, anthropology professor Tamar Shirinian was suspended and subsequently fired for a Facebook post stating the “world is better off” without Kirk. Delta Air Lines terminated a flight attendant for a “good riddance” comment, while an Office Depot employee was let go for refusing to assist a customer printing flyers for a Kirk vigil. Even those who merely shared old articles criticizing Kirk’s gun control views, such as theatre professor Darren Michael, found themselves unemployed.

Brittney Brown, a biologist with Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, was fired after reposting a meme satirizing Kirk’s position on gun violence. “It was like the entire world just completely flipped on its head in a moment,” Brown recalled.

Settlements and Legal Battles

The legal fallout has been significant. Dozens of lawsuits have been filed alleging violations of free speech rights. While private sector employees in “at-will” states lack strong protections, government and unionized workers have seen substantial payouts.

Brown settled her claim for $485,000, roughly twelve times her annual salary of $40,000. Darren Michael was reinstated at Austin Peay State University and awarded $500,000. In the largest settlement reviewed by the BBC, the University of Tennessee agreed to pay $1.9 million to resolve Shirinian’s lawsuit, though she will not be reinstated.

Recently, an arbitrator ordered The Washington Post to reinstate opinion journalist Karen Attiah with back pay after she was fired for refusing to engage in “performative mourning” for Kirk.

Despite these financial wins, many respondents feel the system failed them. Brown expressed frustration over the waste of taxpayer money relative to her modest salary, while Shirinian noted she took the settlement to move on, albeit regretting that she never got her day in court.

No Regrets

For those outside the protection of union contracts or public employment, the road is much harder. Bourguet, unable to find work in the tight-knit world of sports journalism, has started a podcast that barely covers his expenses and is considering leaving the country.

Yet, none of the individuals interviewed by the BBC expressed regret for their core sentiments. Brown insisted, “They are the ones who should have the regrets, not me.” Shirinian clarified that while she regretted the tone of her outburst, she stood by the sentiment: refusing to feign sadness over the death of someone she viewed as hateful. Bourguet echoed this, stating he does not regret pushing back against what he sees as hatred, even as he mourns the ripple effects on his family and career.