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petersuberpetersuber@fediscience.org
Jul 3, 2026, 1:23 PM
"Professor fired over #CharlieKirk post could receive $1.9M in settlement."
https://thehill.com/homenews/education/5948386-professor-fired-over-charlie-kirk-post-could-receive-1-9m-in-settlement
This is just the latest in a series. Universities that disciplined professors for criticizing Charlie Kirk knew or should have known that they were violating those professors' free-speech rights. But they did it to align themselves with the Trump admin, even on the wrong side of the law. Consider these settlements and damage awards to be a cowardice tax.
#Academia #AcademicFreedom #Censorship #FirstAmendment #Trump #Universities #USLaw #USPol #USPolitics
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Replies

petersuberpetersuber@fediscience.org
Jul 3, 2026, 1:37 PM
Update. I said this was just the latest in a series. I haven't found a complete list. (Wikipedians, start your engines.) But here's a start.
https://www.npr.org/2026/06/23/nx-s1-5856300/charlie-kirk-assassination-jobs-social-media-payouts-fired-first-amendment-settlements
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petersuberpetersuber@fediscience.org
Jul 3, 2026, 5:42 PM
Update. The Chronicle of Higher Education tots up "nearly $3 million" so far paid out by universities to compensate faculty wrongfully punished for criticizing Kirk. It also points to an unspecified number disciplined but so far uncompensated.
https://www.chronicle.com/article/colleges-have-paid-nearly-3-million-to-employees-fired-for-comments-about-charlie-kirk
(#paywalled)
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WesDymwesdym@mastodon.social
Jul 3, 2026, 2:42 PM
@petersuber I keep hoping MY bosses will fire me over it, because I could use the money.
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Martin Vermeer FCDmartinvermeer@fediscience.org
Jul 3, 2026, 9:10 PM
@petersuber Would class action be an option here, or are the cases too different? Anyway, all victims are entitled to be made whole.
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TJC-TJC_2@mastodon.social
Jul 3, 2026, 1:52 PM
@petersuber
Cowardice Tax. My favorite expression of the day. Thanks for that.
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GhostOnTheHalfShellGhostOnTheHalfShell@masto.ai
Jul 3, 2026, 2:03 PM
@petersuber
I would like to know the outcome of the professor who was put on leave over the essay grade he had given to a right wing student who claims her religious views were being persecuted
I read the essay and I read results and discussion of the scientific research the essay was supposed to relate to. She basically used it as a springboard for an attack against non-gender, conforming children. It was obvious she was targeting her trans instructor to exult in the harm the study documents
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GhostOnTheHalfShellGhostOnTheHalfShell@masto.ai
Jul 3, 2026, 5:28 PM
@petersuber
I really have no words for an individual who reads about the harm harassment and bullying inflict on children by other children and thinks "that's great. I'm gonna do it myself!"
And does so. Worse, the instructors employer decides to join in because they would rather surrender to fascism and hate and take a stand on it
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Sweet Home Alaberta 🇨🇦 🇺🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ 🇲🇽NMBA@mstdn.ca
Jul 3, 2026, 2:10 PM
@petersuber
I think the university administrstions that horribly failed their role and duty to truth and reason need to be cleaned out, lest they do it again. We've seen their cards now.
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UpLateGeekUpLateGeek@bitbang.social
Jul 3, 2026, 3:42 PM
@petersuber there’s always a cost for bending the knee.
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humourmetomhumourmetom@newsie.social
Jul 3, 2026, 3:49 PM
@petersuber Countless US universities have shown they are bastions of orange-ass-kissing.
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Duckbilled Plattypus.pattykimura@beige.party
Jul 3, 2026, 4:27 PM
@petersuber So, unlikely their insurance will cover the $1.9 M payout because the court judgment attributes avoidable fault to the institution, and it will have to come from: Endowment, state taxpayers if a public university, or operating funds. This has a cost pain point, and someone will have to take the blame. Good, FAFO.
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oldguycrustyoldguycrusty@mastodon.world
Jul 3, 2026, 5:24 PM
@petersuber
The awards should have been Much larger.
Cynic that I am, I suspect they made the calculation that the damages they knew they would eventually pay out, would be less than the cost of taking a stand on behalf of their professors and the 1st amendment.
#spineless
#feckless
#assholes
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EduCodereducoder@mastodon.online
Jul 3, 2026, 6:11 PM
@petersuber until there's personal responsibility assigned, these settlements won't change any future behaviour. The cowards are happy to pay fines with someone else's money and escape consequences entirely.
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WorldTravelerAll7WorldTravelerAll7@mastodon.world
Jul 3, 2026, 6:25 PM
@petersuber This is excellent news🥳
dotard tumor paid for a full page ad calling for the execution of 4 innocent young, black men, & the NYT printed it🤬
but point out the fact that the world is a better place w/o that racist fascist bigot in it, and people get fired or kicked off #bluesky (appeasers) 😏
I continue to believe that Charlie Kirk's death was a good thing bc i believe in the adage, The only good Nazi...
& maga are just modern day nazis
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WorldTravelerAll7WorldTravelerAll7@mastodon.world
Jul 3, 2026, 6:27 PM
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