Social Media Frenzy: Who’s Getting Fired for Charlie Kirk Comments?

A wave of firings and harassment has hit people who posted about Charlie Kirk’s murder on social media. Conservative activists, politicians, and an anonymous website are targeting those who shared their thoughts, even if they weren’t public figures. The website "Expose Charlie’s Murderers" claims to have thousands of submissions, though only a few dozen are public. It promises to turn into a searchable database, filtering by location and job industry. Most posts don’t call for violence, but the site’s goal is clear: get these people fired. Laura Loomer, a far-right influencer, threatened to make anyone celebrating Kirk’s death famous, ruining their future. On X, a "Trophy Case" thread tracks people allegedly fired for their posts. Even former MSNBC analyst Matthew Dowd lost his job after suggesting Kirk’s rhetoric might have contributed to his shooting. Some targeted individuals, like Canadian journalist Rachel Gilmore, say they’re terrified of retaliation. Rebekah Jones, a former Florida data scientist, contacted police about death threats after her post was shared. The site republished her post along with personal info, calling it a "hit list. " Public-sector employees, like a teacher and a university staff member, have been fired for their posts. Private companies, including Freddy’s Frozen Custard and the Carolina Panthers, have also let employees go. DC Comics canceled a comic series after its author made comments about Kirk’s death. In most places, companies can fire employees for any reason, including offensive social media posts. For public employees, it’s trickier, but firings are justified if the speech disrupts operations. Teachers face extra scrutiny since they work with young people. The website’s name implies blame on those it spotlights, potentially inciting harassment. High political tensions fuel emotional responses, leading to a false culture war framing. Disconnected groups are perceived as enemies, feeding into the divide.