In the wake of conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s shocking assassination earlier this week, a wave of public outrage has swept across social media, leading to the swift dismissal of at least 15 individuals accused of celebrating the 31-year-old’s death. The firings, spanning educators, government employees, media professionals, and private sector workers, appear to stem from a highly organized online campaign led by right-wing influencers and Republican lawmakers, who have doxxed and pressured employers to act.
Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA and a prominent voice in the MAGA movement, was fatally shot on September 10 while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University in Orem. The single gunshot from a rooftop, fired by 22-year-old suspect Tyler Robinson, struck Kirk mid-speech, in what authorities described as a targeted attack. Robinson, a Utah native from a conservative family who had reportedly grown increasingly politicized, was arrested late Thursday after a 33-hour manhunt. He faces charges of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, and obstruction of justice, with prosecutors pursuing the death penalty.
The suspect’s family tipped off authorities after Robinson allegedly confessed and expressed hatred toward Kirk’s views. Bullet casings at the scene bore anti-fascist messages, but Robinson’s background—raised in a Republican household and described as a “brilliant” former high school student—has fueled speculation about his motives, which remain under investigation. President Donald Trump, a close ally of Kirk, immediately blamed the “radical left” for the killing and called for the death penalty, a stance echoed by Utah Governor Spencer Cox.
As vigils and memorials proliferated nationwide—including a major event planned for September 21 at Arizona’s State Farm Stadium—social media erupted with tributes. Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, delivered an emotional address on Friday, vowing to continue his legacy of promoting “patriotism, faith, and God’s merciful love,” while thanking first responders and Trump for their support. Turning Point USA, the organization Kirk founded, expressed devastation, calling him their “guiding light.”
However, amid the mourning, a darker undercurrent emerged: posts from some users expressing glee or indifference to Kirk’s death. These reactions, often citing Kirk’s history of inflammatory rhetoric on topics like race, gun rights, and LGBTQ+ issues, quickly drew the ire of conservative activists. Kirk had previously stated that some gun deaths were “worth it” to preserve the Second Amendment and made controversial remarks about Black professionals and crime rates, which critics labeled as bigoted.
What followed was a rapid mobilization. Far-right figures like Laura Loomer and Chaya Raichik (of the “Libs of TikTok” account) launched digital hunts, sharing screenshots, names, workplaces, and personal details of those who posted celebratory or mocking content. Loomer declared on X that she would “make everyone I find online who celebrates his death Famous,” warning of ruined careers. An anonymous X account began a “Trophy Case” thread, cataloging firings in real-time, which has amassed dozens of entries. Republican Rep. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee publicly demanded the removal of a Middle Tennessee State University employee who posted “ZERO sympathy” for Kirk, leading to her immediate termination.
The victims include:
- An assistant dean at Middle Tennessee State University, fired for “inappropriate and callous comments.”
- MSNBC senior political analyst Matthew Dowd, dismissed after suggesting Kirk’s rhetoric contributed to the shooting; the network apologized for his “tone and words.”
- A communications staffer for the NFL’s Carolina Panthers, let go over Instagram posts referencing the slaying.
- Two American Airlines pilots, grounded and removed from duty after posts seen as celebratory; Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called the behavior “disgusting.”
- A Next Door employee in Milwaukee and the co-owner of a Cincinnati barbecue restaurant, both terminated within 24 hours of Kirk’s death.
- Educators across states, including a Los Angeles high school teacher who called for the death of “millions” of “far-right assholes,” prompting investigations.
- An Office Depot employee in Michigan, fired after refusing to print vigil posters.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered a Pentagon-wide search for military personnel who “mocked or condoned” the murder, while Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau directed consular officials to act against critics. Rep. Clay Higgins called for lifetime social media bans for those “celebrating the heinous murder.”
Experts and civil liberties advocates have raised alarms about the campaign’s scope. Reuters tallied at least 13 firings by Friday, based on public statements and reports, with numbers climbing as employers face floods of complaints. “This is a surge in right-wing rage,” one anonymous target told Reuters, noting their office was bombarded with calls. Canadian journalist Rachel Gilmore, listed on a doxxing site despite clarifying she hoped Kirk survived, expressed fear of retaliation.
While some defend the actions as accountability for hate speech, others see hypocrisy, pointing to past instances where conservatives mocked victims of political violence. Kirk himself had derided figures like Joy Reid and Michelle Obama in racially charged terms. “Free speech isn’t without consequences,” one X user posted, echoing sentiments that celebrating murder crosses ethical lines.
The FBI has offered a $100,000 reward for information on the assassination, emphasizing it’s investigating potential accomplices. As Robinson’s formal charges loom on Tuesday, the nation grapples with deepening political divides, where online words can end careers overnight.
Kirk’s death has reignited debates on political violence, with Trump declining calls for unity and instead framing it as a consequence of left-wing “demonization.” Memorials continue, but the online firestorm shows no signs of abating, highlighting the perils of polarized discourse in 2025 America.