A university professor who was fired for sharing a social media post about far-right activist Charlie Kirk has been reinstated and received a $500,000 payout.
Darren Michael, an associate professor at Austin Peay State University, had shared a 2023 article highlighting Kirk’s comments on gun deaths and the Second Amendment. He did not add any personal remarks to the post.
The post drew attention from Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn, who shared Michael’s details online. APSU then dismissed Michael, calling the post “insensitive” and claiming it violated the university’s standards of respect.
Following legal action, APSU reversed its decision, reinstating Michael and reimbursing him for therapy costs. The university also issued a statement acknowledging mistakes in how his termination was handled.
Michael’s reinstatement comes after a controversial firing that sparked national debate over free speech and social media use in academia. APSU confirmed the payout and said it regrets not following proper tenure termination procedures.
The professor is now back in his position and planning to continue teaching, with his case serving as a high-profile example of the consequences universities face when handling controversial posts.
