"They had all used language or memes their employers deemed offensive or insensitive about the 31-year-old conservative firebrand. Kirk evoked strong feelings along party lines, and the fatal shooting in Utah on Wednesday unleashed parallel outpourings: On the right, there were mostly mournful expressions and demands for retribution; on the left, there was mostly condemnation of political violence and suggestions that he had it coming."
"Before the day was over, MTSU President Sidney McPhee had issued a statement announcing that Sosh-Lightsy had been terminated over her "inappropriate and callous" comments as they "were inconsistent with our values." Sosh-Lightsy did not respond to a request for comment. The views expressed by our employees are their own and do not represent those of the Carolina Panthers. We do not condone violence of any kind. We are taking this matter very seriously and have accordingly addressed it with the individual.- Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) September 11, 2025"
Within 24 hours of Charlie Kirk's killing, multiple employees were fired or placed on leave after posting about the shooting. Those dismissed included an assistant dean at a Tennessee college, a communications staffer for an NFL team, a Nextdoor employee in Milwaukee, and the co-owner of a Cincinnati barbecue restaurant. Employers characterized the online language and memes as offensive or insensitive and issued apologies or disavowals. Reactions split largely along partisan lines, with many on the right expressing mourning and calls for retribution and many on the left condemning political violence while some suggested Kirk had it coming.
Read at The Washington Post
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