Workers fired for inappropriate Charlie Kirk assassination comments

A growing number of individuals are facing professional consequences, from being fired or placed on administrative leave, for public comments they made in the wake of the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. 

After the 31-year-old CEO of Turning Point USA was shot and killed during an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, a growing list of political leaders, business figures and media outlets across the spectrum condemned the political violence. 

But others cited Kirk’s political views as a reason not to mourn his death, which critics argued minimized or excused the violence. At the same time, others used it as an opportunity to highlight the rise in shootings, particularly those claiming the lives of children.

MSNBC political analyst Matthew Dowd was seen as the first of many figures to face consequences for his comments, but the list quickly grew. 

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MSNBC political analyst 

Dowd was fired from the network after his comments during MSNBC’s coverage of the shooting. Dowd was asked about “the environment in which a shooting like this happens.” 

MSNBC fired political analyst Matthew Dowd after he sparked outrage over his comments about Charlie Kirk during the network’s live coverage of Wednesday’s assassination. (Lorenzo Bevilaqua/ABC via / Getty Images)

In response, Dowd said: “He’s [Kirk] been one of the most divisive, especially divisive younger figures in this, who is constantly sort of pushing this sort of hate speech or sort of aimed at certain groups. And I always go back to, hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions. And I think that is the environment we are in. You can’t stop with these sort of awful thoughts you have and then saying these awful words and not expect awful actions to take place. And that’s the unfortunate environment we are in.” 

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“During our breaking news coverage of the shooting of Charlie Kirk, Matthew Dowd made comments that were inappropriate, insensitive and unacceptable,” MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler said in a post on X. “We apologize for his statements, as has he. There is no place for violence in America, political or otherwise.” 

Meanwhile, Dowd said in a separate post that he never intended for my comments to blame Kirk for his horrendous attack. 

“I was asked a question on the environment we are in,” he said. “I apologize for my tone and words. Let me be clear, I in no way intended for my comments to blame Kirk for this horrendous attack. Let us all come together and condemn violence of any kind.”  

Friday, executives at parent company Comcast NBC Universal, sent a memo to employees with stern instructions. 

“The tragic loss of Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old father, husband, and advocate for open debate, whose faith was important to him, reminds us of the fragility of life and the urgent need for unity in our nation. Our hearts are heavy, as his passing leaves a grieving family and a country grappling with division. There is no place for violence or hate in our society,” the Comcast CEO Brian Roberts, President Mike Cavanagh and prospective Versant CEO Mark Lazarus wrote, as reported by Fox News Digital. 

Carolina Panthers communications coordinator

A Carolina Panthers helmet is on the sidelines during the game against the Jaguars on Sept. 7, 2025 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. (Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via / Getty Images)

The Carolina Panthers fired an employee, Charlie Rock, who made social media posts following the assassination of Kirk. 

A source briefed on the Panthers’ decision confirmed to Fox News Digital that Rock, a member of the team’s communications department, was fired on Thursday. 

Social media posts linked to Rock appeared to show him questioning why people were sad that Kirk had been shot and killed. The song “Protect Ya Neck” from the Wu-Tang Clan was also shared.

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“The views expressed by our employees are their own and do not represent those of the Carolina Panthers,” the team said in a statement posted to social media. “We do not condone violence of any kind. We are taking this matter very seriously and have accordingly addressed it with the individual.”

Secret Service employee 

A Secret Service employee was put on leave after posting on Facebook about Kirk’s assassination. 

Charlie Kirk stands in the back of the room as President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House on May 28, 2025. (Andrew Harnik / Getty Images)

Anthony Pough, an employee of the protective agency, posted on Facebook, according to several outlets, that condemned those mourning Kirk, saying the conservative commentator “spewed hate and racism on his show.” 

“Especially when we should be mourning the innocent children killed in Colorado,” he added. 

The U.S. Secret Service told FOX Business that the employee was immediately put on administrative leave, and they launched an investigation into the matter. 

The agency said it “will not tolerate behavior that violates our code of conduct.”

American Airlines pilots:

American Airlines pilots caught celebrating Charlie Kirk’s assassination were grounded and removed from duty, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on Saturday.

An American Airlines commercial aircraft flies over Washington as it approaches Dulles International Airport on August 5, 2024. (Reuters/ Umit Bektas/File Photo / Reuters)

“This behavior is disgusting and they should be fired,” Duffy posted to X. “Any company responsible for the safety of the traveling public cannot tolerate that behavior. We heal as a country when we send the message that glorifying political violence is COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE!”

In response to an X post about one of the pilots who allegedly made disturbing comments about Charlie Kirk, American Airlines said that the company condemns violence and had taken steps to address the matter.

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Delta Air Lines employees:

Multiple Delta Air Lines employees were reportedly suspended after they posted on social media about Charlie Kirk’s assassination, the company confirmed to FOX 5 Atlanta.

A Delta Connection passenger jet parked at a gate beside a Delta Air Lines plane at Nashville International Airport in Nashville, Tennessee.  (Robert Alexander/Getty Images / Getty Images)

The airline said the posts, which violated the company’s social media policy and were under investigation, could result in the employees facing consequences including termination, FOX 5 Atlanta reported.

“Whether we’re in uniform and on the clock, online or out in public, our colleagues, customers and communities expect us to reflect Delta’s values — integrity, care and servant leadership — that we hold dear,” Delta CEO Ed Bastian said in an email to the company. “Remember that we all represent Delta, at all times, in any forum. It’s essential that we act in ways that uphold our shared values and the human connection that defines us.”

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Office Depot employee:

Office Depot fired an employee at one of its Michigan locations after a viral video showed staff refusing to print posters for a Charlie Kirk vigil. 

An Office Depot store is pictured in Louisville, Kentucky.  (Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

The company told Fox News that it was “deeply concerned” by the incident that took place at its Portage store.

Office Depot said Friday night that an “immediate internal review” was launched, and the employee involved in the incident is “no longer with the organization.” The company also said it reached out to the customer as soon as it learned of the incident “to address their concerns and seek to fulfill their order to their satisfaction.”

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American Airlines and Delta Air Lines did not immediately respond to FOX Business’ request for comment.

FOX Business’ Elizabeth Pritchett and Michael Dorgan contributed to this report.