Intense controversy surrounding comments about the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has now reached the University of Tennessee. Termination proceedings have begun for an assistant professor of anthropology in the Knoxville campus’ College of Arts and Sciences after they posted negative comments on their personal Facebook account.
In their comment the professor said the world was “better off” without Kirk, labeling him a “disgusting psychopath.”
On Monday morning, UT System President Randy Boyd said on social media he was investigating complaints about the post. In a statement shared a few hours later, UT Knoxville Chancellor Donde Plowman said that the professor has been placed on administrative leave and that she has immediately initiated termination proceedings.
“Violence on a university campus wounds the heart of our academic mission, and no statements endorsing a campus shooting can be acceptable to an institution,” Plowman said. “All of us must recognize that when we speak, and certainly when we speak on social media, our words have broader impact.”
Social media users began sharing the professor’s comment Sunday evening, eventually attracting the attention of U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett, a Republican of Tennessee’s 2nd district. In a post on X, Burchett said he was “on it.”
The move follows similar actions taken at Middle Tennessee State, East Tennessee State, Austin Peay and Cumberland universities, where faculty and staff have also been dismissed or suspended over remarks shared online tied to Kirk’s killing. Taken together, the firings reflect a broader trend of professional consequences for social media speech surrounding the high-profile assassination.