In the days following the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk last week, dozens of workers have been fired over repulsive social media posts celebrating the killing and stating that the 31-year-old father of two had it coming. Whining from the left that these terminations are “right-wing cancel culture” further reveals just how morally debased liberals are, given that they apparently can’t comprehend the difference between punishing someone for expressing a political opinion and punishing someone for applauding cold-blooded murder.
As The Washington Post reported over the weekend, “At least a dozen employers, including the Carolina Panthers, the University of Mississippi, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, have put staff members on leave or dismissed them for their online activity, as well as apologized for and publicly disavowed their remarks.”
One of the first to go was now-former MSNBC analyst Matthew Dowd, a one-time consultant to Republican President George W. Bush. Moments after the shooting occurred, Dowd suggested that the shooting could’ve been a Kirk supporter shooting off his gun in the crowd as a “celebration.” He then stated that Kirk was “constantly sort of pushing this sort of hate speech aimed at certain groups. And I always go back to, hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions.”
The list of fired workers also includes individuals like Laura Sosh-Lightsy, the assistant dean of students at Middle Tennessee State University, who posted on Facebook that Kirk deserves “ZERO sympathy” and “spoke his fate into existence.” The school terminated Sosh-Lightsy’s contract shortly thereafter. In another case, an anesthesiologist in Virginia was fired for her post about the assassination.
Perhaps most alarmingly of all has been the flurry of public school teachers who have been fired or placed on leave for their hateful posts. According to NPR, at least 21 educators have been let go or placed under investigation. One teacher in New York likened Kirk to a Nazi. Another in Texas wrote, “#karma is a b*tch.” In Virginia, a school board official who has since said she will resign at the end of this year opined, “Call me old-fashioned, but I remember when we used to be ok with shooting Nazis.”
Many on the left and in the corporate media have suggested or outright asserted that these firings are an example of right-wing cancel culture.
The Post, for instance, stated that “the rash of disciplinary actions… highlight the tension between employees’ right to free speech and employers’ need to protect their reputations.” NBC reportedly provided a platform to “critics warning that disciplinary actions are creating a chilling effect on open expression.” Ex-CNN anchor Don Lemon, meanwhile, claimed that “it is the cancel culture on the right that is now leading the charge.” Journalist Michael Tracey likewise bemoaned “right-wing cancel culture.”
On the one hand, it would be easy and satisfying for conservatives to sit back and say that liberals are getting a taste of their own medicine. In some cases, the hypocrisy is indeed too blatant to ignore. Rolling Stone, which in 2023 ran an opinion piece making the case that “cancel culture is good for democracy,” is now lamenting that “people are losing their jobs for criticizing slain ‘free speech’ advocate Charlie Kirk.”
But describing what is happening now to those rejoicing over Kirk’s death as “cancel culture” is not quite right. What conservatives are engaged in – accountability – is far different from the cancel culture that liberals have wielded as a censorship weapon against their political enemies for years.
A few examples of actual cancel culture immediately illustrate the difference. Back in 2022, Jennifer Sey, a former executive at Levi’s, was pushed out of her role for vocally opposing school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2017, software engineer James Damore was famously fired from Google for criticizing the company’s DEI culture, which he said discriminated against white men. Back in 2016, a local news reporter in Houston was fired for posting on Facebook that she was “happy and relieved” by President Donald Trump’s victory over Hillary Clinton.
In 2013, Atlanta, Georgia, fire chief Kelvin Cochran was terminated for writing a book critical of same-sex marriage for a Christian men’s group he led (Cochran later won a $1.2 million lawsuit against the city). In 2016, ESPN fired former Red Sox legend Curt Schilling after he posted a meme critical of allowing men who claim transgender status to use women’s restrooms. In 2020, New York Times senior editor James Bennet was pushed out of the paper after publishing an op-ed from Senator Tom Cotton supporting President Trump’s decision to use federal forces to quell the wave of riots then terrorizing American cities.
In some cases, liberal cancel culture has even reared its ugly head against those seeking accountability for celebrations of Kirk’s death. In New Jersey, nurse Lexi Kuenzle reported a doctor who allegedly “cheered and celebrated” the news “in front of patients and staff.”
“You’re a doctor. How could you say someone deserved to die?” Kuenzle recalled saying. But instead of punishing the doctor, Kuenzle claims that the hospital suspended her without pay. She has since filed a lawsuit against Englewood Health.
It shouldn’t need to be said, but firing someone for opposing pandemic lockdowns, stating that men don’t belong in women’s restrooms, or supporting Donald Trump is far different than firing someone for vocally supporting the assassination of a public figure.
As the “Not the Bee” account (the non-satirical page for the satirical news outlet The Babylon Bee) put it on X, “Cancel Culture targets those whose legitimate views or opinions are deceitfully represented to a mob and the person faces societal consequences that aren’t warranted.” Free speech does not mean freedom from consequences.
If a teacher is fired for gleefully cheering on someone’s murder just because he is a conservative, she most certainly receives a warranted consequence. How could she ever be trusted to educate students in an unbiased manner or treat students who express conservative beliefs fairly?
In the same vein, a doctor who is fired for saying that Charlie Kirk had it coming receives a warranted consequence. How could he ever be trusted to care for conservative patients when he himself says it is ok to kill conservatives for their beliefs?
The left may try to blur the line between cancel culture and accountability, but the distinction is plain. A free society cannot function if violent hatred is excused as just another “opinion.” Similarly, a free society cannot function if basic common sense (like stating that men cannot become women or that DEI is anti-white racism) is treated as “hateful” rhetoric.
When applause for assassination enters the public square, consequences must follow – because unlike cancel culture, accountability is not about silencing dissent, but about upholding the most basic standard of human decency.
Shane Harris is the Editor-in-Chief of AMAC Newsline. You can follow him on X @shaneharris513.
The nurse in Englewood has her job back with back pay! The doc in question resigned.
I watched Charlie every day. His response to these people was always to put hateful people on the spot and answer questions with his own questions:
“How am I a Nazi?” “How am I a facist? Name one thing that I’ve ever said that’s facist? Do you even know what a facist is?”
It never got old. We need someone to replace him but I don’t know how that’ll ever happen.
Goes to show how the Left have brainwashed many people who can’t distinguish between Good and Evil.
I do not want hate filled individuals teaching my kids, piloting an aircraft I’m. Don’t want performing medical procedures on me. Fire them.
Saw a great comment earlier today unfortunately I don’t have the name to give proper attribution. Charlie Kirk’s messages weren’t hateful, people hate his message.
The Right did NOT create the “cancel culture”. The Right does NOT participate in the “cancel culture”. So this is laughable that they would even suggest this is coming from the Right. There is no end to the idiocy displayed by the Left. I know I will not knowingly patronize a business that allows such heinous behavior from their employees…whether on OR off the clock!
I would like to cancel that culture.
Comments and celebrating death have no place in a civilized society. It screams of evil.
So sad that people will ridicule and applaud murder of someone who differs in their moral views. Charlie will be sorely missed. We as Christians need to be as he was ready to stand for the truth but in a loving manner. We need to pray for our enemies and stay in the word of God so we may walk as He walked. Love is all we need and He is Jesus!
Under the Left educators became agitators, allowed to damage the kids brains . The result of which we see around , brainwashed doing what they were programmed to do, “educators” unpunished for injecting the poison.
People that celebrating or cheering for someone’s death should get fired immediately. These kind of people are low and does not need to be mix in society, they are dangerous. You don’t know exactly what’s on their mind.
The left is characterizing the right as evil and destroying the country( which in fact is what they are doing!).
The diatribe and indoctrination from them is exactly what the Nazis did to the Jews leading up to the holocaust . They ( the left) has not kept it a secret that they want to destroy the right and America. Hence they align themselves with and radical groups ( Muslims and others) who make it no secret to destroy our nation.
We ARE at war and need to wake up.
It is morally repugnant to cheer for or blame Charlie for his assassination because you disagree with his conservative views. The man did not preach hate against women, blacks or LGBTQ. He stated his view and tried to engage young people in discourse over their own views. He wanted people to dissect their views, determine what led them to their belief and give them known facts. I have noticed that many negative views of Charlie are based on the edited clips on sites like Instagram and YouTube, and not on the complete conversation that the snippet was taken from. A part of a statement taken out of context can be used to prove the opposite of what was actually stated. In this day in age, it is well known that employers monitor social media. If anyone, especially teachers, doctors & nurses feel the need to cheer the death of anyone, they should be ready to accept the consequences. The loss of a job is far less than Charlie and his family lost. So if you feel he deserved a death sentence for speaking out, then you deserve to lose your job!!
Also VERY glad those who have expressed pleasure in the murder of Charlie Kirk are receiving consequences!!!
I do hope that these disciplinary actions have a chilling effect on applauding murder, as the leftists have cut loose their moral restrains, and succumbed to a moral depravity spawned by demons!
Vengeance is mine sayeth the Lord
Free Speech protects you from criminal prosecution, not civil persecution.
AMAC readers recognize the irrational views of those who express joy or childish glee. I find it astounding the leftist hate-mongers can’t smell the rank irony of their comments. If they believe their firing is cancel-culture…well then there is no hope for them as useful members of this society.
What is most appalling are elected officials at state and national levels, even in city levels, who have made hateful comments which have done nothing more then validate more hate from the Marxist army of youth.
My query: why aren’t hate crimes charged against the leftists who have through suggestive innuendo encouraged the young brainwashed to carry out their plans. It is easy to spot. Easy to prove because so often they make their utterances when recorded.
There are countless instances of US congress members chiming in.
Everyone needs to start calling out people for their rhetoric from the local level to Congress members.
Several leftists calling themselves journalists have since the assassination made insincere admonitions of toning it down, and that both sides are guilty of violence. WHAT!?
This is what the conservative has to challenge, and demand they produce receipts for such a claim?
When was the last time a conservative MAGA was charged and found guilty of destroying someone’s Bentley, or stretch limo, or fancy yacht, or EV? Doxed someone. Accosted when out dining? When has a member of Congress been confronted with hysterical yelling of self-serving questions that include an allegation, or rash characterizations?
They don’t have any examples that compare as to frequency or degree of their Soros-funded misguided youth.
So, I would like to say most conservative people are grounded in a set of values and mores of a Christian principled society. The leftists know God but reject Him. They are lost. This
They deserve compassion and viewpoints that open their eyes to truth. That doesn’t include allowing them to remain in their tenured role as a professor and continue to spew hateful words suggesting approval of murder to silence truth. The university is the origin of what ails our society. That must be addressed right now.
Do everything possible to share truth. Charlie Kirk died because he wanted to bring light to darkness.
Y’know, I’d love to give these Leftists a job but I don’t think anyone would want to trust them not to spit in our burgers.
Not cancel culture it’s accountability culture
Let’s not forget about the man that went to jail/prison for just posting a meme about Hillary!
My biggest problem with these out raged people is that there is a large group that are teaching our children. When I went to school is someone you looked up to tell the truth and show examples of how we should act towards each other. Now I have doubts of the teachers now a days to now show there dark comments during teaching in class.
Seems scary that so called professionals or educators promote hate crimes, anti Christian and want people to blindly follow hate and not rational thought. I’m glad such good, America and Christians will band together for peace, compassion and in prayer.
The hypocrisy of the Left is stunning.
Being a menace to society is their right and even their duty when it comes to the objections of the Right to their actions.
Hakim Jeffries and his baseball bat is a pictorial reminder to hang on every Conservative’s wall. (Or maybe the closet)
No it is not. It’s the right thing to do. These people have no soul
The Principal at Charlotte North Carolina Ardrey Kel High School is calling stents tribute to Charlie Kirk vandalism & the local school board is supporting her! They were calling for criminal charges for painting their message rock! The school system being led by leftist extremists!
Looks like the godless left can’t take what it dishes out at conservatives.
I can’t say how “right on” I believe the premises of this article are! I’ve very much struggled with the idea of people losing their jobs over the very thing that Charlie Kirk represented “Free Speech”. However, the notion that this what’s actually happening is not even true! I LOVE that the author of this oped has definitively explained that they are simply facing consequences of behaving morally/socially inappropriately in the public square. I truly do LOVE this!!!
Well I must admit that murder seems to be a political view of the left.
Once I saw Charlie put his body between an ICE agent and the person they were about to grab. The ICE agent said stand back sir, this is an illegal. Charlie said human beings are not illegal. And where’s your proof. The agent eventually stood down. Protestors applauded. Charlie picked up a megaphone and addressed them. He said “many of you want to abolish ICE. I can’t say I agree with that but I do think we need to abolish hate. And too many of the people I see in these ICE uniforms are filled with hate and anger. This has no place in our country. We’re better than this.” Everyone cheered. The rest of the ICE agents swore under their breath and drove away.
Interesting that the Left had NO TROUBLE with cancel culture when it was they who were doing it. The hypocrisy of the Left is on full display…hopefully enough to further open the eyes of their supporters.
Employers have a right to terminate people who disrupt the workspace with inflammatory comments, or make statements that may alienate their customers. After spending 35 years in corporate America, I know how difficult it is to retain good employees and good customers. Free speech that alienates customers or disrupts the working environment need to be avoided. Anyone has the right to express their opinions, but needs to have the wisdom to know when and where they can do it without causing harm to themselves or their employer’s business. I also guard my opinion when asked, “Does this dress make me look fat?”
I agree 100%. These people mentioned in the article were accused and justly do of hate crimes!
IF ANY OF THE ABOVE PEOPLE ARE NOW SEEKING NEW EMPLOYMENT I HEAR VENEZUELAN DRUG CARTELS ARE HIRING BOAT CAPTAINS!
LET them call it “right wing cancel culture”!They’ve changed the definition of vaccine, man, woman, life, and many more terms. If they can’t bend something in their favor they just change the definition.
Many people say these companies are violating the First Amendment BUT the FA applies to the GOVERNMENT [specifically Congress]. Biden’s henchmen telling media what they should censor WAS violative of the FA. A company wants to maintain a good reputation. Who would want a medical person or a teacher who might assist in killing them if they wore pro-Trump clothing?
Lastly, can any of these nutjobs name ONE thing that Charlie said that was [truly] “Hateful?”
Extremely well-written article differentiating the Left’s intolerance of free speech from the Conservative’s defense of protecting the speaker from evil acts of retribution. The Democratic party’s defense of murderers is a symptom of their derailment, and their need for a new mind set.
Listen to the Democrats whine! The cancel culture that’s our trick you can’t use it! Attention Democrats your Hitman just canceled your entire party pack up your pencils and go home
All these people who have been fired did have the freedom to say what they said. They just don’t own their jobs and whoever they report to does not have to retain them. They have added to their resumes qualities that might not have been known before.
Amen, may Charlie rest in peace!
Since Charlie Kirk was murdered, I can’t help thinking how Christ endured torture and death for the world to be saved..much like Charlie.
I agree 100%
I’m shocked that they’re people at AMAC that cheered when Charlie Kirk was executed! AARP not surprised! Disappointed.
yes the nurse did get her job back, only after the hospital realized the public was not going to tolerate the doctors ignorance and his hatred for America! The hospital should pay for what they did, cause they initially were going to support the doctor!!
It is time that the true Americans stand up to all of the enemies of America and no longer accept their hatred to Americans and to God!!!!
“Freedom of Speech” does not mean “Freedom from Repercussions”
First of all, I wish to compliment Mr.Hairis for his expertise articles. I can tell he does his homework and is very informative. Thank you for having him on your staff.
When a human being passes away, we should be sympathetic for his passing. For his family left behind etc. In this case because this happened with Charlie Kirk, celebrating his death is not only inhumane and heartless, it’s down right upsetting and disgusting all because people (the left) doesn’t agree with his political and spiritual beliefs. It’s very sad that our country have this divided to the point that they have to kill someone because they don’t agree with their opinion. Consequences should be and are encouraged to be paid for by their actions. While I don’t like anyone to lose their job, it’s a risk they take that’s on themselves and have NO sympathy for their consequences. I applaud these employers who take such action. The let’s rhetoric must be be stopped by our administration and should be thoroughly investigated by Ms Bondi, Mr. Patel and Mr. Miller. If not done immediately, perhaps President Trump.will be next which they already tried to silence him. It’s needs done NOW!!
Great article! Thank you for sharing this important information.
Yes we cancel them from thier jobs & your not needed. due to comments made
I would like to post this article on Facebook, but need to know whether orv) not people will be able to read it without having to pay for an AMAC account just to read it! If not, I would like AMAC’s permission to copy and paste the entire article into a Facebook post which I would attribute to AMAC.
Freedom of speech issue is questionable !
I know this won’t bode well with some, but I’m not sure firing workers for their opinions is the best way…..with these exceptions…is that worker in a seat of power or influence, say a teacher or doctor….then their opinion can sway others. The fellow driving the forklift in the warehouse is not the same as an educator who has the capacity to effect the minds of children/students. We do have to be careful not to attack, just for the sake of attack. Mr. Krik would, as I see it, would have a conversation that encourages the other person to alter their precepts. I don’t think he would just say…..”you’re fired.”