❓WHAT HAPPENED: A conservative activist has collected tips on over 51,000 people who celebrated or mocked the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, leading to multiple firings.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Ryan Fournier, Students for Trump National Chairman, and thousands of people and companies.
📍WHEN & WHERE: Following Charlie Kirk’s assassination in Utah last Wednesday, with incidents reported across the U.S., including national brands and local businesses.
💬KEY QUOTE: “For years, the left tried to destroy people for simply having conservative values.” – Ryan Fournier
🎯IMPACT: Over 76 individuals have been fired, and Fournier’s efforts have drawn over 300 million views and significant online engagement.
Ryan Fournier, the National Chairman of Students for Trump, is leading a growing online campaign to expose and hold accountable people who celebrated or mocked the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. His efforts, driven primarily through his X (formerly Twitter) account with 1.2 million followers, have already resulted in over 76 people losing their jobs. Fournier says he has received over 51,000 tips and generated over 300 million views across his platforms.
“For years, the left tried to destroy people for simply having conservative values,” Fournier said. “They ruined careers, families, livelihoods. But now, we are fighting back.”
Among those fired is Apple employee Cody Ikerd. An Old Navy worker who identified with “she/they/enby/transfem” pronouns was also terminated after posting “Rest in piss, scum.” Other cases include a fitness instructor in Scottsdale, Arizona, and a school educator in Arkansas who also faced consequences for their online remarks.
The campaign has spilled into the political realm as well. Palmetto Bay, Florida Council Member Steve Cody is under pressure to resign following a post that read, “Charlie Kirk is a fitting sacrifice to our Lords: Smith & Wesson. Hallowed be their names.” Florida Republican lawmakers Carlos Gimenez and Omar Blanco have called for Cody to step down, saying the comments are unfit for someone in elected office.
While critics have accused Fournier of leading a “cancel culture” crusade, he argues his campaign is about accountability. “This is not cancel culture,” he said. “This is consequence culture. You want to praise an assassination? Fine. But don’t cry when your boss, your school board, or your community finds out what kind of sick, soulless person you really are.”
Reactions to Kirk’s murder have been deeply polarized. Karen Attiah, a former Washington Post columnist, was fired after posting on Bluesky that she would not engage in “performative mourning for a white man that espoused violence.” She also criticized the public expectation to show sympathy, saying such responses to figures like Kirk were part of what makes America violent.
Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and far-left immigrant journalist Mehdi Hasan also drew attention during a post-assassination discussion where they criticized Kirk’s legacy and laughed at him being described as a champion of civil debate. Their remarks prompted Republican members of Congress to introduce measures calling for Omar’s censure and removal from committee assignments.
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