They lost their jobs after posting about Charlie Kirk, but some have no regrets
Source: BBC World ↗
Gerald Bourguet, a 35‑year‑old sports writer for PHNX Sports, was terminated after posting a series of critical messages about the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk on the day of Kirk’s fatal shooting at Utah Valley University on 10 September 2025. In the posts, Bourguet called Kirk “an evil man,” condemned his supporters for staying silent on school shootings, and described Kirk’s life as dedicated to hateful causes. The screenshots of his comments went viral, leading his employer to fire him, expose his home address online and trigger a wave of threatening texts. Concerned for his family’s safety, Bourguet and his wife fled the state with their four‑month‑old son, later returning only to sell their house and relocate permanently. He now lives elsewhere, a location the BBC agreed not to disclose, and says he has no regrets about his statements, though he acknowledges that his life “will never be the same” and that he must rebuild his career from scratch.
Bourguet’s experience is one of hundreds of disciplinary actions that followed Kirk’s assassination, a phenomenon documented by a Reuters tally that identified more than 600 firings or sanctions, a figure likely understated because many cases never reached the press. The backlash was fueled by a polarized social‑media environment and high‑level political pressure: right‑wing commentator Laura Loomer warned critics that “your whole future professional aspirations” could be ruined, while Vice‑President JD Vance urged the public to “call them out” and even target their employers. The White House’s spokesperson, Davis Ingle, condemned any celebration of political violence, and Republican state legislator Jordan Pace framed the punitive response as a necessary societal function, linking it to broader debates over “cancel culture.” Employers ranging from universities to airlines acted swiftly; for example, Tennessee anthropology professor Tamar Shirinian was dismissed after a Facebook remark that “the world is better off” without Kirk, and a Delta Air Lines flight attendant lost her job for posting “good riddance” in response to the killing.
The fallout illustrates how the incident amplified existing cultural wars over free expression and workplace discipline. While some dismissed the critical posts as tasteless or potentially inciting further violence, others argued that celebrating an assassination crossed a moral line and warranted severe consequences. A few individuals who were fired later received reinstatements or multi‑million‑dollar settlements, but many, like Bourguet, have been left to start over without compensation. The episode has also prompted discussions about the role of employers in policing political speech, with some public and private entities opting for immediate termination to avoid reputational damage. As the nation continues to grapple with the balance between protecting free discourse and curbing extremist rhetoric, the long‑term impact on those whose careers were derailed remains uncertain, underscoring the personal costs of a highly charged political climate.
⚡ Effects Interpreter
🌍World Economylow impact
What this means for you
- ▶Export-heavy economies might see demand wobble as buyers wait and watch.
- ▶Global boardrooms tend to take notice when news like this surfaces.
🏙️Local Economylow impact
What this means for you
- ▶Skills in demand locally may shift as the sector adjusts.
- ▶Apprenticeships and training schemes in the sector may be affected too.
🏦Rates & Banksmedium impact
What this means for you
- ▶Watching how currency markets react can hint at where rates head next.
- ▶A change in the cost of money, if it comes, will likely arrive quietly.
❤️Healthmedium impact
What this means for you
- ▶Taking a break from the headlines can do more good than scrolling on.
- ▶Checking in on vulnerable neighbours matters when news feels heavy.
💷Wealthmedium impact
What this means for you
- ▶Reviewing insurance and benefits now can soften any future blow.
- ▶Pension contributions can take a knock when work is uncertain.
🏠Housingmedium impact
What this means for you
- ▶The property market tends to move slowly, so expect any change to take time.
- ▶Landlords and tenants alike rarely feel sudden shifts from a story like this.
🌍 Effects for your country
The U.S.'s central bank rate currently stands at 3.75%, so a global rates move like this could feed through to local borrowing costs. The U.S.'s economy is growing at 2.3% with inflation at 3.2%, the backdrop this story's effects play out against locally. Housing-market effects like this are usually felt most where mortgage rates track the U.S.'s own central bank rate closely. With the U.S.'s unemployment at 4.4%, personal-finance effects like this land on a labour market that is currently fairly stable. Health-system effects are harder to localise from economic indicators alone — the real impact in the U.S. depends more on local healthcare capacity than the figures above.
The UK's central bank rate currently stands at 3.75%, so a global rates move like this could feed through to local borrowing costs. The UK's economy is growing at 0.8% with inflation at 3.2%, the backdrop this story's effects play out against locally. Housing-market effects like this are usually felt most where mortgage rates track the UK's own central bank rate closely. With the UK's unemployment at 5.6%, personal-finance effects like this land on a labour market that is currently fairly stable. Health-system effects are harder to localise from economic indicators alone — the real impact in the UK depends more on local healthcare capacity than the figures above.
France's central bank rate currently stands at 2%, so a global rates move like this could feed through to local borrowing costs. France's economy is growing at 0.9% with inflation at 1.8%, the backdrop this story's effects play out against locally. Housing-market effects like this are usually felt most where mortgage rates track France's own central bank rate closely. With France's unemployment at 7.9%, personal-finance effects like this land on a labour market that is already under strain. Health-system effects are harder to localise from economic indicators alone — the real impact in France depends more on local healthcare capacity than the figures above.
Romania's central bank rate currently stands at 6.5%, so a global rates move like this could feed through to local borrowing costs. Romania's economy is growing at 0.7% with inflation at 7.8%, the backdrop this story's effects play out against locally. Housing-market effects like this are usually felt most where mortgage rates track Romania's own central bank rate closely. With Romania's unemployment at 6%, personal-finance effects like this land on a labour market that is currently fairly stable. Health-system effects are harder to localise from economic indicators alone — the real impact in Romania depends more on local healthcare capacity than the figures above.
The UAE's central bank rate currently stands at 3.65%, so a global rates move like this could feed through to local borrowing costs. The UAE's economy is growing at 3.1% with inflation at 2.5%, the backdrop this story's effects play out against locally. Housing-market effects like this are usually felt most where mortgage rates track the UAE's own central bank rate closely. Health-system effects are harder to localise from economic indicators alone — the real impact in the UAE depends more on local healthcare capacity than the figures above.