Mike Benz, the sharp-tongued Executive Director of the Foundation for Freedom Online, didn't mince words on Breitbart's "Alex Marlow Show" last week. Citing data from an X account called "Charlie's Murderers," a crowdsourced tracker of gleeful reactions to Charlie Kirk's assassination, Benz declared that "the number one demographic celebrating Charlie's murder has been teachers, teachers and professors." He framed it as a "roadmap to the purse strings for funding," implying a need to defund institutions where educators cheer political violence. The clip has racked up over 875,000 views, fuelling outrage among conservatives who see it as Exhibit A for the rot in America's education system. But why are so many academics and K-12 teachers leading the charge in this macabre celebration? Is it just fringe extremism, or a toxic byproduct of Leftist dominance in the ivory tower and classroom?
The short answer: It's both. While not every teacher or professor is dancing on Kirk's grave, the pattern is undeniable and disturbing. In the 12 days since Kirk's September 10 shooting at Utah Valley University, dozens of educators have been fired, suspended, or investigated for posts that mock his death, justify the act, or outright revel in it. State education agencies in Texas, Florida, Oklahoma, and California are sifting through hundreds of complaints, with Texas alone logging over 280. This isn't random; it's a flashpoint revealing deeper ideological fractures in education, where Kirk's brand of unapologetic conservatism made him public enemy No. 1.
Benz's claim isn't hyperbole; it's backed by a deluge of screenshots and reports. The "Charlie's Murderers" account has compiled a grid categorising reactions by profession, with educators topping the list, outpacing even journalists and local officials. X is littered with examples: A Sacramento State professor mocked Kirk's death on X, leading to a university review. In Texas, a Klein ISD social studies teacher called Kirk a "racist, homophobic, a misogynist, transphobic nasty person" and was dismissed. A Framingham, Massachusetts, special ed teacher posted a video singing "God Bless America" in front of breaking news about the shooting, grinning ear-to-ear. University of Michigan's Charles Davis quipped, "Even if you believe violence isn't the answer, it is a solution."
The backlash has been swift: Over three dozen educators nationwide have lost jobs or faced probes. Oklahoma's Superintendent Ryan Walters vowed to revoke licenses for any teacher "glorifying this assassination." Florida's education commissioner sent a memo threatening discipline for "despicable comments." Even the American Federation of Teachers' Randi Weingarten griped about the "targeting" of her members, calling it a "political witch hunt."
Kirk wasn't just a conservative pundit; he was a campus crusader. Through Turning Point USA, he targeted universities as "indoctrination mills," hosting events that exposed what he saw as Leftist bias in classrooms, from DEI programs to gender ideology. His "Professor Watchlist" named and shamed academics for alleged anti-conservative bias, racking up lawsuits and protests. To many in academia, a field where surveys show 12:1 Democrat-to-Republican ratios among faculty, Kirk embodied everything the Left sees wrong with the Right: anti-woke, pro-life, and unyieldingly pro-Trump. His death feels like karmic justice to those who've clashed with him, a twisted "solution" to the culture wars he fought.
Academia is a "hot bed of Leftism." A 2024 HERI Faculty Survey found 60% of professors identify as liberal or far-Left, with conservative voices dwindling to under 10% in social sciences. Unions like the AFT amplify this, pushing progressive curricula that frame conservatives as threats to equity and inclusion. When Kirk, a vocal critic of "woke" education, gets assassinated, it's not just personal; it's ideological schadenfreude. In their downtime, scrolling X or Bluesky, some educators vent unchecked, forgetting (or ignoring) that taxpayer dollars fund their platforms.
Critics cry "cancel culture," arguing these firings chill speech, especially since private employers aren't bound by the First Amendment. The Massachusetts Teachers Association even defended "celebration" as protected expression. But defenders like Moms for Liberty counter: Celebrating assassination isn't speech; it's a safety red flag, especially from those shaping young minds. VP JD Vance urged reporting such posts to employers, calling it a litmus test for "civility." Benz's "purse strings" jab? Spot on, conservatives are eyeing budget cuts to "reform" schools, with bills in red states tying funding to "neutrality" policies.
This isn't just about Kirk; it's a microcosm of polarisation. Van Jones, no fan of Kirk's, praised his final outreach for dialogue, urging against weaponising the tragedy. Yet as X threads show, the cheers persist, with calls to "abolish public schools" gaining traction. If educators can't mourn a murdered activist without glee, what does that teach kids about discourse?
Benz is right, this is a funding roadmap, but also a wake-up call. The Left's "hot bed" in education isn't just breeding resentment; it's normalising violence against dissent. Kirk fought for free speech on campuses; his killers and cheerleaders prove why that battle matters. Defund the hate? Absolutely. But first, expose it.