CHARLIE KIRK’S MURDER CAUSED A WAVE OF RESIGNATIONS: Comments on social media cost many their jobs!

Following the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, dozens of social media posts – some of which celebrated his death – came under the scrutiny of conservative activists, Republican officials, and specialized websites. It appears to be a coordinated online campaign aimed at punishing the authors of these posts, which has already led to numerous firings, CNN reports.

Public shaming campaign

Prominent right-wing influencers, including Laura Loomer, a U.S. senator, as well as a website called “Exposing Kirk’s Murderers” are leading a campaign that publicly shames people who commented on Kirk’s murder. This case clearly shows how easily posts, even from profiles with a small number of followers or from non-public figures, can be used for public persecution and the spread of personal data in an era when so-called doxxing (maliciously publishing or sharing someone else’s personal data without permission) is easier than ever.

The site “Charlie’s Murderers,” which claims not to be a doxxing site, states that it has received nearly 30,000 reports and plans to create a searchable database of “radical activists who call for violence.” However, most of the people shamed are not activists and did not call for violence. The site administrators did not respond to requests for comment.

Threats and public reactions

On the social network X, Laura Loomer wrote on Wednesday, just hours after the shooting: “I will spend the night making famous everyone I find who is celebrating his death, so get ready for all your future professional aspirations to be destroyed.”

In addition, a “Trophy Case” was launched – a list of people who, according to the site, lost their jobs because of their posts.

After MSNBC fired political analyst Matthew Dowd for stating that Kirk’s rhetoric may have contributed to his death, President Donald Trump also spoke out: “They fired that guy, Dowd from MSNBC, who is a terrible man, but they fired him. I hear they are going to fire other people too.” After his dismissal, Dowd stated that he was attacked by a “right-wing media mob.”

Many of those who were shamed are now facing an avalanche of harassment and fear for their own safety. Canadian journalist Rachel Gilmore stated that she was “horrified” by the retaliation from Kirk’s fans, even though in one post she expressed hope that Kirk would survive. Former scientist Rebecca Jones twice contacted the police about death threats, after she criticized Kirk and his supporters.

Laura Edelson, an assistant professor at Northeastern University, described the situation as an “absolutely coordinated harassment campaign” whose goal is to target and publicly shame the individuals in question.

Who is losing their job

The campaign has also spread to Republican officials who are shaming public sector employees. Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee demanded the firing of an employee at Middle Tennessee State University who wrote that he had “no sympathy” for Kirk, which the university confirmed. Congresswoman Nancy Mace from South Carolina acted similarly, encouraging the dismissal of a teacher.

Private companies also handed out terminations, such as the restaurant chains Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers and the NFL team Carolina Panthers. DC Comics canceled the comic book series “Red Hood” after the author Gretchen Felker-Martin allegedly wrote on social media: “I hope the bullet is in the right place.” The company stated that comments that promote hostility or violence are not in accordance with its standards.

Labor law professor Jeffrey Hirsch explains that private firms can generally fire employees for social media posts, while the situation is more complex for public officials, but firings are still possible if the speech “disrupts business.” It is especially sensitive for teachers, who work with young people, especially when their posts glorify political violence.

Diversity of posts and site goals

Various types of posts came under fire – from criticism of Kirk’s views on the Second Amendment and weapons, to neutral statements that “the world keeps turning.”

The shaming site openly states its goal – for the people it highlights to be fired. Hank Terran, a cybersecurity expert, warns that the very name of the site implies that those who are shamed are responsible for Kirk’s murder, which paves the way for harassment.