Wave of dismissals across sectors – including TV star Jimmy Kimmel
Dozens of American workers – including TV show host Jimmy Kimmel – have lost their jobs over comments, in most cases on social media, about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Those dismissed include teachers, airline staff, a Secret Service agent and journalists, as employers moved swiftly to discipline or terminate contracts.
US network ABC announced it had taken Kimmel off air indefinitely after comments he made about the murder of Kirk, with a spokesperson for the network saying: “Jimmy Kimmel Live will be pre-empted indefinitely.”
In his Monday night monologue, Kimmel said: “The Maga gang desperately trying to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it.”
President Donald Trump, reacting to the news of Kimmel’s removal, said on Truth Social: “The ratings-challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED. Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done.”
United Airlines confirmed it had taken action against staff who attempted to justify the killing, while Nasdaq announced the immediate dismissal of one employee. The Carolina Panthers, American Airlines, law firm Perkins Coie and The Washington Post also parted ways with staff over online remarks.
Calls for accountability
Vice-president JD Vance, who temporarily hosted Kirk’s podcast following the murder, urged the public to report those celebrating his death.
“When you see someone celebrating Charlie’s murder, call them out – and call their employer,” he said.
Political activist Olivia Krolczyk claimed she had contacted more than 700 employers regarding posts seen as supportive of the killing.
The fallout has highlighted a growing trend of companies policing workers’ behaviour outside the office.
High-profile firings
Examples of the posts include a United Airlines pilot branding Kirk a “fucking Nazi” and a South Carolina teacher declaring on Facebook that “America became greater” after the murder. A Secret Service agent referred to the shooting as “karma”.
In the media sector, MSNBC analyst Matthew Dowd was dismissed after linking hateful rhetoric to violent acts, while Washington Post opinion writer Karen Attiah said she was fired for resharing Kirk’s past remarks on Black women.
Attiah described her removal as “a hasty over-reach” that violated principles of journalistic fairness. MSNBC apologised for Dowd’s comments, calling them “inappropriate and insensitive”.
Political and institutional pressure
The Pentagon warned personnel not to comment online about Kirk’s assassination. Defence secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed his department was monitoring posts “very closely”. Universities including Clemson and Middle Tennessee State also terminated staff.
Kirk, 31, co-founded youth organisation Turning Point USA and was a prominent ally of Donald Trump. He was shot while speaking at Utah Valley University. A 22-year-old man has been charged with aggravated murder.
The controversy underscores the deepening polarisation of US politics, with employers, universities and institutions facing pressure to act as national tensions mount.
