‘The Wrong Side Of The Argument’: Employment Attorney Breaks Down Charlie Kirk Fallout and Free Speech Limits
In the wake of conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s shocking assassination on September 10, 2025, at Utah Valley University, a firestorm of social media backlash has led to dozens of firings and suspensions across the U.S. As viral posts celebrating or mocking Kirk’s death draw doxxing campaigns from conservative influencers, employment attorneys are fielding frantic calls from workers blindsided by their bosses’ swift actions.
This escalating fallout—fueled by hashtags like #CharlieKirkFallout, #FreeSpeechAtWork, and #KirkAssassination—highlights a harsh reality: The First Amendment shields you from government censorship, but not from your employer’s pink slip. On the legal podcast The Wrong Side of the Argument, Daytona Beach-based employment attorney Jonathon Glugover dissected the wave of terminations, urging workers to understand their slim recourse in most states. “You can say what you want,” Glugover emphasized. “But your boss can fire you for it—especially in at-will employment states.”
Charlie Kirk’s Assassination: A Catalyst for National Divide
Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot in the neck during a campus speech in Orem, Utah. Authorities quickly classified the attack as politically motivated, with the suspect—a 24-year-old former college student—facing federal charges including assassination and use of a firearm in a violent crime. Kirk, a vocal Trump ally known for his campus debates and criticism of progressive policies, had amassed millions of followers through his podcast and youth organization.
The killing ignited immediate outrage. Vigils sprang up at Turning Point headquarters in Phoenix, while President Trump eulogized Kirk as “a warrior for American values” during a September 12 rally in Georgia. But online, a darker undercurrent emerged: Posts gloating over Kirk’s death, often citing his past remarks on race, guns, and civil rights, went viral.
Within hours, conservative activists like Chaya Raichik of Libs of TikTok amplified screenshots, tagging employers and calling for firings. Vice President JD Vance, guest-hosting Kirk’s show, urged listeners: “When you see someone celebrating Charlie’s murder, call them out. Hell, call their employer.” By September 19, over 50 workers had lost jobs, from teachers in Texas to pilots at United Airlines.
High-Profile Firings: From MSNBC to the NFL
The terminations span industries, underscoring the rapid mobilization against perceived “celebrations” of violence.
Media Personalities in the Crosshairs
MSNBC analyst Matthew Dowd was among the first casualties. On air moments after the shooting, Dowd linked Kirk’s “hateful words” to his demise, sparking conservative backlash. MSNBC fired him within 24 hours, citing “reputational harm.” Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel faced similar scrutiny after joking on ABC that “karma’s a bullet,” leading Disney to suspend his show amid advertiser pullouts and affiliate threats from Nexstar and Sinclair.
In a viral clip, Kimmel smirked outside a Los Angeles lawyer’s office post-suspension, fueling speculation of a wrongful termination suit. Glugover, on his podcast, dismissed such claims: “High-profile cases like Kimmel’s are PR nightmares for networks. Free speech doesn’t override contracts with morality clauses.”
Everyday Workers Bearing the Brunt
Public sector roles drew intense scrutiny. A Carolina Panthers communications coordinator was axed for posting, “Why are y’all sad? Your man said it was worth it,” referencing Kirk’s defense of gun rights post-school shootings. In Wisconsin, Milwaukee nonprofit worker Hannah Molitor lost her job at Next Door after writing, “What happened to Charlie Kirk is horrible… but no person should ever lose their life to gun violence.” Screenshots shared by GOP figures led to her swift dismissal.
Teachers faced waves of investigations: A Cudahy, Wisconsin, educator was placed on leave for a “#karma” post, while over 100 Texas teachers are under review. Ball State University fired a staffer after Indiana AG Todd Rokita highlighted her comments.
Even first responders weren’t spared. A New Orleans firefighter’s deleted Instagram post—”That bullet has a right to be there”—prompted Louisiana AG Liz Murrill to demand “consequences.” United Airlines grounded pilots who posted celebratory memes, with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy praising the move.
Legal Realities: Why ‘Free Speech’ Doesn’t Always Protect Your Job
Glugover’s podcast episode, titled “‘The Wrong Side Of The Argument’: Employment Attorney Talks Charlie Kirk Fallout,” has surged in listens, with over 10,000 downloads in 48 hours. He laid out the stark legal landscape: In 49 states, at-will employment allows termination for any non-discriminatory reason, including off-duty speech.
“Private employers aren’t bound by the First Amendment—that’s for government actors only,” Glugover explained, echoing experts like Lawrence Morales in Texas. Exceptions exist in states like California and New York, where off-duty conduct laws offer some shield for political expression. Milwaukee civil rights attorney Nate Cade warned Wisconsin workers: “Be careful—at-will means your posts can cost you everything.”
Public employees fare slightly better under the Garcetti v. Ceballos ruling, which protects speech on matters of public concern if it doesn’t disrupt operations. Yet, Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas vowed probes into teachers’ “despicable comments,” blurring lines.
Glugover advised callers: “Document everything, but lawsuits rarely succeed without proof of discrimination. Most settle quietly with NDAs.”
Expert Takes and Public Backlash
Legal scholars are split. Stanford’s William Koski called the firings “mostly political theater,” predicting strong litigation odds for affected workers. Conversely, FindLaw’s analysis noted contracts often include social media policies, giving employers broad leeway.
Public reaction on X (formerly Twitter) is polarized. Conservative users like @MAGAVoice celebrated the accountability, posting arrest videos of anti-ICE protesters amid the chaos. Left-leaning voices, including viral memes from @ivyphobic, defied firings with “Idc if I get fired, Charlie Kirk had it coming,” amassing millions of views. One thread by @Miriam2626 decried hypocrisy, listing Kirk’s past statements on Black pilots and single women.
Attorney Sara Spector, a criminal defense lawyer, faced backlash for her own tweet equating Kimmel’s firing to lost “free speech,” prompting warnings from peers about client trust.
Impacts on American Workers, Culture, and Beyond
For U.S. workers, this saga exposes vulnerabilities in a polarized job market. Economically, swift firings protect brands from boycotts—Freddy’s Frozen Custard axed an employee after conservative outcry, averting potential revenue dips. But it chills speech: A 2025 NPR survey found 62% of employees now self-censor on social media, up from 45% pre-Kirk.
Lifestyle shifts are evident in education and media. Teachers report heightened anxiety, with unions in South Carolina pushing for policy reviews. Politically, it fuels debates: AG Pam Bondi faces scrutiny for threatening charges against an Office Depot worker who refused Kirk vigil flyers, raising free speech alarms. Technologically, AI doxxing tools amplify the speed of outrage, as seen in Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau’s visa revocation threats to foreign commenters.
Even sports aren’t immune—the Panthers’ firing underscores how NFL teams prioritize sponsor relations over employee views.
A Call for Caution in a Fractured Discourse
The Charlie Kirk fallout, dissected so candidly on The Wrong Side of the Argument, serves as a grim reminder: Political passion can torch careers overnight. As Glugover concluded, “Know the law before you post—because regret won’t get your job back.”
Looking ahead, experts like University of Chicago’s Robert Pape warn of rising “decentralized violence,” urging restored civil debate. With lawsuits brewing and congressional hearings on workplace speech protections floated, 2025 could mark a turning point. For now, amid #CharlieKirkFallout, #FreeSpeechAtWork, and #KirkAssassination, Americans must navigate expression’s razor edge: Bold words win arguments, but they rarely save jobs.