POLITICS: Professor fired over Charlie Kirk wins big – USSA News

A Tennessee public university has reinstated a tenured professor and agreed to a six-figure settlement months after removing him over a social media post tied to the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Austin Peay State University (APSU) confirmed that Darren Michael, an associate professor of acting and directing, returned to his position at the end of December following a settlement that local media say totals $500,000.

Removal after controversial Charlie Kirk post

Michael was removed from his post last fall after sharing a screenshot of a widely circulated 2023 Newsweek article quoting Kirk’s past remarks about gun deaths and Second Amendment rights.

The post drew rapid political attention after Senator Marsha Blackburn, a Tennessee Republican, shared screenshots of Michael’s post and his identifying information on social media, tagging the university and asking, “What do you say, @austinpeay?”

Shortly afterward, APSU took action.

University President Mike Licari said at the time that Michael had “reshared a post on social media that was insensitive, disrespectful and interpreted by many as propagating justification for unlawful death,” adding that such conduct did not align with the university’s values.

Michael was initially fired and later placed on suspension.

Settlement between APSU and Professor Michael

In an emailed statement, APSU Chief Strategic Communication Officer Ginna Holleman said the university “reached a settlement agreement” with Michael, confirming that he returned to his tenured role effective December 30, 2025.

Holleman did not disclose financial terms. However, WKRN News 2 reported that the settlement includes a $500,000 payment and reimbursement for counseling services, citing a copy of the agreement.

Michael’s attorney separately confirmed the amount to another outlet, The Tennessean.

APSU enrolls roughly 11,000 students and, as a public university, is bound by constitutional free-speech protections.

A broader national pattern

Michael’s case follows a wave of dismissals and disciplinary actions across the country after Kirk, the co-founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot in Utah on September 10, 2025.

In higher education alone, dozens of employees were fired or suspended over comments deemed offensive or inappropriate.

In Maine, a school board voted unanimously in December to dismiss a teacher over similar remarks.

Notably, legal challenges have followed.

In Texas, the Texas American Federation of Teachers sued the state education agency, arguing it encouraged retaliation against educators over speech related to Kirk’s killing.

Debate over free speech

The APSU settlement has fueled debate about the cost of restricting speech.

Jeffrey Sachs, an assistant professor at Acadia University, wrote on X, “Austin Peay State University (of TN) will rehire a prof it fired for his Charlie Kirk-related comments AND pay him $500k+ in restitution. Turns out violating the 1A is a costly enterprise.”

Others framed the outcome as a warning to institutions.

“Academic freedom lives!” Jeremy Horpedahl of the University of Central Arkansas wrote, adding, “And it pays, sometimes.”