University Faculties Scrutinized For Posts About Kirk’s Killing
As tributes and vigils continue across Alabama for slain conservative political activist Charlie Kirk, so does the backlash against educators and others posting divisive and inadvisable negative comments about the murder. The controversial posts on social media have led to firings and administrative leaves being administered to dozens across the state.
Auburn University has terminated multiple employees. One former employee, Seth McDonald, a drag queen going by the name of Corlana Bleu, resigned after posting that Kirk should, "Rest in PI**...good riddance!" after the assassination.
Republican U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville, who coached football and has a residence in Auburn, thanked the school in a post on X (formerly Twitter). "Thank you, AuburnU, for taking action and firing these sick people who mocked the assassination of Charlie Kirk."
Auburn President Dr. Christopher B. Roberts posted a Facebook and X message condemning the comments, writing that they were "hurtful, insensitive, and completely at odds with Auburn's values of respect, integrity, and responsibility, in violation of our Code of Conduct."
Roberts went on to note, "Incidents that promote violence are unacceptable..."
On the UA campus, Assistant Journalism and Creative Media Professor A.J. Bauer and other faculty members who posted derogatory comments have been facing calls for their firing from the Capstone.
Rahim Thawer, an instructor in the UA School of Social Work, shared a Facebook post by abortion advocacy group Yellowhammer Fund, which noted Kirk's race as white and condemned the national grief while ignoring violence against "...communities of color, marginalized genders, poor folks, and the disabled." The group equated the reaction to fascism. Jaime Tangman, a Cultural Resources Specialist and Osteologist with the UA Museums, made several posts featuring stories that mocked Kirk's own words.
There has been no official reaction from UA.
Nexstar Media Group, which owns CBS 42 in Birmingham, notified the network that it would suspend broadcasting Jimmy Kimmel Live after he made offensive comments about Kirk's death. The network later announced it is suspending the show completely for an indefinite period.
During his program, Kimmel blamed MAGA for killing Charlie Kirk.
The liberal late-night show host has turned the entertainment program into often controversial political commentary. Nexstar's broadcast chief, Andrew Alford, was quoted as saying that Nexstar's decision is based on moving toward respectful and constructive dialogue.
Kirk's shooting and the mockery posted by the left and the angry response from the right have given proof of how divided the nation is politically and socially.
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