Professor fired over post mocking Charlie Kirk's death is reinstated and given $500,000 towards therapy costs
The same day Kirk was assassinated, the professor shared a 2023 article with the headline: Charlie Kirk Says Gun Deaths 'Unfortunately' Worth it to Keep 2nd Amendment.
A professor who was fired over a post mocking Charlie Kirk's death has been reinstated - and given $500,000 to pay for his therapy.
Austin Peay State University (APSU) professor Darren Michael was fired last year after sharing a post about Kirk's assassination.
Kirk, the founder of the right-wing group Turning Point USA, was gunned down at Utah Valley University on September 10, in what authorities described as a politically-motivated attack.
That same day, Michael, a tenured associate professor of acting and directing who had been working at APSU in Tennessee since 2007, shared a 2023 article from an unidentified news outlet with the headline: Charlie Kirk Says Gun Deaths 'Unfortunately' Worth it to Keep 2nd Amendment.
Michael's post was brought into the spotlight by Senator Marsha Blackburn, who shared a screenshot of his post on her gubernatorial campaign social media.
'What do you say, @austinpeay?' Blackburn posted, along with a screenshot of Michael's post and his university profile, which included the professor's full name, university email and phone number.
Shortly after, APSU President Mike Licari released a statement saying Michael had been terminated from the school, according to WZTV.
'A faculty member of Austin Peay State University reshared a post on social media that was insensitive, disrespectful and interpreted by many as propagating justification for unlawful death,' Licari said.
Austin Peay State University (APSU) professor Darren Michael was fired last year after sharing a post about Kirk's assassination, but his position was reinstated on December 30
Kirk, the founder of the right-wing group Turning Point USA, was gunned down at UtahValley University on September 10. Here, he is pictured with his wife, Erika Kirk
This was the post Michael made that got him fired. It gained attention after being reposted by Senator Marsha Blackburn on her gubernatorial campaign social media
'Such actions do not align with Austin Peay's commitment to mutual respect and human dignity. The university deems these actions unacceptable and has terminated the faculty member.'
But the university soon moved the professor's status to suspension after the initial firing, admitting that it had not followed due process.
And on December 30, Michael had his position fully reinstated. According to a settlement agreement obtained by WKRN, the university will also pay the professor $500,000 to reimburse therapeutic counseling services he underwent.