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They lost their jobs after posting about Charlie Kirk, but some have no regrets

September 13, 2026

Following the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in September 2025, hundreds of Americans who posted critical comments about him online were fired or disciplined from their jobs. Gerald Bourguet, a sports writer who called Kirk an "evil man" in social media posts, lost his job, had his address exposed, and received death threats, forcing him to relocate with his family and sell their newly purchased home. The backlash was amplified by prominent conservative figures, including Vice-President JD Vance, who encouraged people to report Kirk's critics to their employers.

Who is affected

  • Gerald Bourguet (sports writer fired from PHNX Sports)
  • Bourguet's wife and four-month-old baby
  • Hundreds of other individuals who were fired or disciplined for critical comments about Charlie Kirk
  • Charlie Kirk (deceased conservative activist)
  • Kirk's supporters and critics
  • Universities and their employees targeted by calls for defunding or discipline

What action is being taken

  • No explicit ongoing actions are described in the article. The article describes past events (firings, relocations, threats) that occurred in 2025, and mentions that some individuals have already been reinstated or received restitution, but no current ongoing actions are specified.

Why it matters

  • This incident highlights the intersection of free speech, social media consequences, and "cancel culture" in politically polarized America. It demonstrates how online commentary can result in severe real-world consequences including job loss, threats, and forced relocation. The case also reveals partisan hypocrisy, as some conservatives who previously criticized "cancel culture" actively encouraged employer retaliation against Kirk's critics. The involvement of high-level government officials like the Vice-President in encouraging workplace punishment raises concerns about the chilling effect on political speech and the power dynamics between political leaders, employers, and citizens' right to express controversial opinions.

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC