Theater professor reinstated, awarded $500,000 after firing over Charlie Kirk comments on social media
Conservative commentator Charlie Kirk speaks at Texas A&M University in April 2025 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Meredith Seaver/The Bryan College Station Eagle via the Associated Press)
A Tennessee theater professor who was fired after posting remarks about the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was awarded $500,000 in a settlement with the university.
Darren Michael, a professor at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee, will also receive reimbursement for therapeutic counseling services as part of a settlement agreement, according to the Nashville Tennessean via USA Today.
David King, Michael’s attorney, said they are “exploring future options” against those who “interfered with [Michael’s] First Amendment rights.”
The settlement deal was first reported by TV station WKRN.
Michael was reinstated to his position at the school Dec. 30, 2025, after the school admitted to not following its termination policy.
Kirk was shot and killed during an event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. Aftward, Michael shared an article on his personal social media account titled, “Charlie Kirk says gun deaths are ‘unfortunately’ worth it to keep 2nd Amendment.” The article discussed controversial comments that Kirk made shortly after the Covenant School shooting in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2023.
See also:
Law prof fired for online comments after Charlie Kirk’s death that led to ‘torrent of complaints’
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