So no wonder the recent shooting of far-right activist Charlie Kirk has set off (and drawn) such intense reactions. Consequently, thousands have lost their jobs, and multiple industries are undergoing enormous fines. Kirk commands an audience of 2.3 million followers on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). He was shot in an act that indeed produced passionate responses and led to investigations over statements made in the digital world.
Kirk’s shooting has especially grabbed headlines, as the circumstances surrounding Kirk’s statements on gun ownership have been more controversial than most. He has iterated that he thought it was “ok” to have “a certain number of gun deaths every year.” He maintained that this was all needed to defend the “God-given right” to keep and bear arms. This populist frame has struck a chord with millions of his loyal supporters even as it stirs fierce opposition from his detractors.
Then the situation took a much more sinister turn. As one New Orleans firefighter put it, the bullet that hit Kirk “was a gift from god.” This comment sparked outrage, but caused the firefighter’s employer to launch an investigation into the firefighter.
In the immediate aftermath, many were fired for how they reacted to their communities’ outcry. An elementary school teacher in Oregon was fired for commenting that Kirk’s death had “really made my day.” Similarly, a high school counselor made headlines for suggesting that Kirk’s stance on gun ownership justified the violence he faced, stating, “37 years in public education, ready to take a bullet for my kids. No I’m not shedding a tear, he chose to sacrifice himself for the rights [to] be protected. Karma’s a bitch.”
The Florida state board of education has responded proactively by issuing a memorandum that warned school employees against posting personal viewpoints that “may undermine the trust of the students and families that they serve.” In response to Kirk’s shooting, this policy would further ensure a professional environment in and outside of the classroom.
Investigations have recently widened to include those service members themselves. These people were rightly fired for posting sexist and racist remarks surrounding Kirk’s tragic death on social media. As a result dozens of civilian Pentagon employees, even a Secret Service staffer, came under investigation. They were subsequently savaged on X for their audacity to say that.
Matthew Dowd, the well-known political analyst, almost got fired from MSNBC. He’s made headlines when he floated the idea on air that Kirk’s radical rhetoric might have incited the violence that led to his assassination. Dowd remarked, “Hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions,” underscoring the potential consequences of inflammatory speech.
The fallout didn’t end with bad reactions from organizations and localities. A communications coordinator for the Carolina Panthers commented on social media, “Why are y’all sad? Your man said it was worth it,” reflecting a sentiment shared by some who believe Kirk promoted harmful ideologies.
Civilian reactions were mixed, some people publicly rejoicing at his death. An elementary school teacher stated, “This may not be the obituary we were all hoping to wake up to, but it is a close second for me,” indicating a lack of sympathy for Kirk’s demise.
That’s why officials from academia, government, and the private sector are moving fast to address this. They are seriously looking for former service members and Pentagon folks who may have approved of or laughed about Kirk’s murder. Even Pete Hegseth of that bastion of liberal media NBC News was calling for this kind of accountability given all the current investigations.