Tennessee professor fired over Charlie Kirk post reinstated, reportedly receives large financial settlement
A Tennessee professor fired for sharing a post related to Charlie Kirk's death was reinstated and will receive a $500,000 settlement.Summary
Austin Peay State University agreed to reinstate Darren Michael, an associate professor of acting and directing, and pay him $500,000 after firing him over a social media post following the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The post, which resurfaced Kirk’s 2023 comments on gun deaths, led to pressure from Sen. Marsha Blackburn and the professor’s subsequent termination. However, the university later acknowledged it had not followed proper procedures for terminating a tenured faculty member. The settlement, obtained by WKRN News 2, also includes reimbursement for therapeutic counseling and a statement from the university admitting procedural failures. While the university spokesperson confirmed the reinstatement, the specific terms of the agreement remain confidential. Following Kirk’s assassination, several educators faced backlash for similar social media posts, prompting calls for accountability from Republican lawmakers and conservative groups.
(Source：Fox News)