Introduction to the Controversy
Two South Florida universities have taken action against faculty members over comments they made about the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. Florida Atlantic University put a tenured faculty member on leave pending an investigation and the University of Miami announced an employee’s departure, saying “expressions that condone or endorse violence or are incompatible with our policies and values are not acceptable.”
Background on Charlie Kirk’s Assassination
Kirk was shot to death Sept. 10 while addressing a university audience in Utah. Since his assassination, conservative activists have scoured social media sites for comments condoning the murder, taking steps to get those who did so fired or otherwise punished.
University of Miami’s Response
Neither university identified the individuals involved. But UM’s student newspaper, The Miami Hurricane, identified the employee as Dr. Michelle Bravo, a neurologist at the UM Miller School of Medicine. Bravo had shared on her Instagram page another person’s post on X, formerly Twitter, that said in part, “what was done to Charlie Kirk was done to countless Palestinian babies, children, girls, boys, women and men…Charlie Kirk came out to say: I love this, I want more of this…As Malcom said, the chickens have come home to roost.” Her Instagram post was shared by the X page StopAntisemitism, where her words generated heavy criticism and more than 1 million views.
Statement from the University of Miami
“The University of Miami regrets unacceptable public commentary made by one of our employees,” the UM Miller School of Medicine said in a statement. “This individual is no longer employed by our institution. Freedom of speech is a fundamental right. At the same time, expressions that condone or endorse violence or are incompatible with our policies and values are not acceptable.” Bravo did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Florida Atlantic University’s Action
Although FAU did not release the name either, conservative activists on social media identified the faculty member at Karen Leader, associate professor of art history and faculty associate in the Center for Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies. On her X page, under the repeated heading “This was Charlie Kirk,” Leader posted a series of critical comments by others that called attention to what the commentators said were Kirk’s racist, anti-gay and anti-woman statements.
Statement from Florida Atlantic University
FAU President Adam Hasner released a statement that said in part, “Earlier today, I became aware of repeated comments on social media made by a tenured faculty member regarding the assassination of Charlie Kirk….Our focus remains on our academic community’s responsibility to promote civil discourse, conduct healthy debate, and treat one another with respect. This applies to all students, faculty, and staff, no matter their political leanings.” Leader declined comment Sunday, saying, “I’m not prepared to speak yet, as the situation is complicated.”
Conclusion
The actions taken by the University of Miami and Florida Atlantic University highlight the challenges universities face in balancing freedom of speech with the need to maintain a respectful and safe academic environment. The controversy surrounding Charlie Kirk’s assassination has sparked a national debate about the limits of free speech and the consequences of expressing views that condone or endorse violence.
FAQs
- Q: What happened to Charlie Kirk?
A: Charlie Kirk was shot to death on September 10 while addressing a university audience in Utah. - Q: Why did the University of Miami take action against one of its employees?
A: The University of Miami took action against Dr. Michelle Bravo because she shared a post on Instagram that seemed to condone the assassination of Charlie Kirk, which was deemed incompatible with the university’s policies and values. - Q: What action did Florida Atlantic University take?
A: Florida Atlantic University put a tenured faculty member, identified by conservative activists as Karen Leader, on leave pending an investigation over comments she made regarding Charlie Kirk’s assassination. - Q: What is the universities’ stance on freedom of speech?
A: Both universities emphasize the importance of freedom of speech but also stress that expressions that condone or endorse violence or are incompatible with their policies and values are not acceptable.Originally Published: September 14, 2025 at 12:31 PM EDT
