$2 million and counting paid out in Charlie Kirk settlements
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At least $2 million in settlements has been agreed to after employees and other critics were fired or penalized over their posts about Charlie Kirk following his killing.
Why it matters: The settlements illustrate the limits employers can have in regulating their workers' political rhetoric.
- Kirk's death became a catalyst for a free speech debate after an estimated 600 individuals were fired or punished for criticizing the conservative political activist or downplaying his death — repercussions that were backed by the Trump administration.
- The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) is aware of 14 First Amendment lawsuits in federal court brought by workers terminated for their comments about Kirk, not including those brought by workers terminated in the private sector or filed in state court.
Case in point: 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.
- "All I wanted was my job back," Brown said in a statement, slamming the state agency for acting as Gov. Ron DeSantis' (R-Fla.) "personal puppet show."
Zoom out: Ball State University agreed to pay $225,000 to settle a First Amendment lawsuit the American Civil Liberties Union brought on behalf of Suzanne Swierc, who the ACLU said was fired after posting about Kirk.
- "Although her Facebook settings were private, a screenshot of the post was taken and circulated publicly, including through Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita's 'Eyes on Education' Portal and other public-facing social media accounts," per an ACLU statement.
- Austin Peay State University in Tennessee agreed to reinstate and pay professor Darren Michael $500,000 after his firing, the university confirmed to Axios. Last September, Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) highlighted a post Michael shared of a Newsweek article with the headline "Charlie Kirk Says Gun Deaths 'Unfortunately' Worth It to Keep 2nd Amendment."
- Retired police officer Larry Bushart secured an $835,000 settlement from a Tennessee county and its sheriff after he was arrested and held for 37 days in connection with a meme he shared on a post about a vigil for Kirk.
- The comment featured a photo of President Trump and the words "we have to get over it," referencing Trump's comments following a school shooting in Iowa, per FIRE.
Between the lines: The backlash against those who criticized the slain activist was part of a broader shifting of First Amendment principles under the Trump administration, which has also included a crackdown on campus protests and legal fights with various newsrooms.
Catch up quick: Workers weren't the only ones who drew the ire of Kirk's supporters.
- NFL teams that opted against a moment of silence for Kirk were pulled into the controversy, along with localities and businesses that didn't lower flags to half-staff.
- Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau threatened action against "foreigners who glorify violence" in the wake of Kirk's assassination, writing, "I have been disgusted to see some on social media praising, rationalizing, or making light of the event, and have directed our consular officials to undertake appropriate action."
- The campaign to expose and punish those perceived as minimizing or celebrating Kirk's assassination, backed by prominent political leaders, saw conservatives who have railed against "cancel culture" delineating new boundaries on acceptable speech.
The bottom line: But the free speech fight didn't end there — and the pushback continues, bolstered by big payouts.
Flashback: Kimmel joins those facing professional repercussions over Kirk comments
