At least $2 million in settlements have been agreed upon following the termination or penalization of employees and critics who made posts about Charlie Kirk after his death. The settlements highlight the limitations employers face in regulating political speech among their workers.
Kirk's death prompted a debate on free speech, with an estimated 600 individuals facing repercussions for criticizing him or downplaying his death, actions reportedly supported by the Trump administration. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) has noted 14 First Amendment lawsuits filed in federal court by workers terminated for their comments about Kirk, excluding those in the private sector or state court.
For example, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission settled a lawsuit with biologist Brittney Brown for $485,000 after she was fired for reposting a meme criticizing Kirk on her personal Instagram account. Brown stated, "All I wanted was my job back," criticizing the agency for its actions.
Ball State University agreed to pay $225,000 to settle a First Amendment lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on behalf of Suzanne Swierc, who was fired after posting about Kirk. The ACLU noted that a screenshot of her private post was circulated publicly.
Austin Peay State University in Tennessee reinstated professor Darren Michael and agreed to pay him $500,000 after he was fired for sharing a post about Kirk. Additionally, retired police officer Larry Bushart received an $835,000 settlement from a Tennessee county after being arrested for 37 days related to a meme he shared about Kirk.
The backlash against those who criticized Kirk is part of a broader shift in First Amendment principles during the Trump administration, which has included crackdowns on campus protests and legal disputes with various news organizations. The controversy also extended to NFL teams and local businesses that did not honor Kirk with tributes, and Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau threatened action against individuals who glorified violence in the wake of Kirk's assassination. The pushback against perceived minimization or celebration of Kirk's death has been supported by prominent political figures, leading to significant financial settlements.