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

In September 2025, Gerald Bourguet's life took an unexpected turn when he posted critical comments about the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk on social media, just hours after Kirk was fatally shot. Bourguet, a professional writer, expressed deep dissatisfaction with Kirk's views and accused his supporters of not speaking out against school shootings.

His posts quickly went viral, leading to his sudden dismissal from work, exposure of his home address, and a barrage of threatening messages. Frightened for his family's safety, Bourguet and his wife left their home and, after months, returned to sell the house.

A year later, Bourguet remains unconvinced that he regrets his online actions. He reflects on how his life has changed drastically and wishes he hadn't gone through such a traumatic experience. Bourguet is one of many who faced consequences after posting their opinions about Kirk's death. While some have had their jobs restored or received compensation, others like Bourguet have had to start over from scratch.

Reactions to Kirk's assassination were varied and polarized. Some criticized the critics for being insensitive, while others called for immediate action to condemn those who celebrated the activist's murder. Laura Loomer, a prominent right-wing commentator, warned that those who criticized Kirk would face severe professional repercussions. Even the highest levels of the US government echoed this sentiment, with Vice-President JD Vance urging people to expose critics and announce their employers.

Condemnations from the left accused conservative leaders of hypocrisy, charging them with the same cancel culture they had previously criticized. Jordan Pace, a Republican member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, went as far as calling for defunding universities if they failed to take action against employees who made comments about Kirk.

As a result, more than 600 people were fired or disciplined for their critical posts, as per a Reuters tally from November. The actions taken against these individuals ranged from suspensions to firings, affecting various sectors, including academia and the private sector.