Winthrop University investigating employee’s Charlie Kirk social media comments
Winthrop University is investigating a social media post by one of its employees related to conservative activist Charlie Kirk, according to a spokesperson.
Since Kirk’s assassination last week at a Utah college event, Republican lawmakers have targeted schools and employees over comments about him that appear to disparage him or celebrate his death. Republican South Carolina Rep. Thomas Beach, brought Winthrop into the controversy Monday, posting on X a screenshot of the employee’s Facebook page that shared a video of a pastor calling Kirk an “unapologetic racist” and “evil.”
“Winthrop is aware of a social media post by a Winthrop employee relating to Charlie Kirk,” a statement to the Charlotte Observer states. “The University is currently investigating the matter and will take appropriate action for conduct which, if determined, violates our policies or applicable law.”
South Carolina Rep. Jordan Pace has called for a special session to strip funding of Clemson University for failing to act after employees allegedly posted remarks celebrating Kirk’s death. Clemson’s Board of Trustees held a special meeting Monday about the social media posts. On Tuesday the university announced two employees were fired.
“Such behavior is intolerable at any public institution funded by South Carolina taxpayers. We, as a body, should be clear on what that accountability looks like: immediate termination of those faculty members,” Pace wrote on Facebook. “If Clemson refuses to hold these faculty members accountable then the taxpayers deserve a refund.”
In the Charlotte area, Gaston County Schools and Lake Norman Charter confirmed they are investigating after employees shared posts critical of Kirk. The Carolina Panthers have already fired a communications department employee over social media comments about Kirk.
