Clemson University Reaches Settlement with Professor Fired Over Charlie Kirk Post
A Clemson University professor who was dismissed over a social media post about the late Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk has reached a settlement with the university. Dr. Joshua Bregy, an assistant professor in the Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, was fired on September 26, 2025, after reposting a Facebook comment about Kirk's murder.
According to a press release by the ACLU of South Carolina, the post criticized violence but suggested that Kirk's harsh rhetoric led to his fate. The post stated, 'I'll never advocate for violence, but it seems karma can be swift and ironic. As Kirk said, 'play certain games, win certain prizes.' No one should be gunned down, but Kirk was a flawed individual whose words caused harm.'
Under the agreement reached last week, Bregy agreed to dismiss his lawsuit against Clemson University and its officials. Clemson agreed to rescind the termination, and Bregy will resign by May 15, 2026. He will remain on the payroll with benefits until then but will not teach or interact with students. The agreement allows Bregy to continue listing Clemson University as his affiliation for pending grants until his resignation date and ensures that Clemson Provost Robert H. Jones provides positive letters of recommendation to future employers.
Bregy's attorneys at the ACLU of South Carolina expressed satisfaction with the outcome. Allen Chaney, the Legal Director, stated, 'We are honored to have represented Dr. Bregy and to have reached an agreement that restores his employment, supports his research funding, and safeguards the First Amendment rights of Clemson University faculty. Politicians and administrators come and go, but the U.S. Constitution remains.'
This settlement comes on the heels of a similar case involving a Tennessee professor who was fired over a post about Charlie Kirk and later reached a settlement with his employer. Darren Michael, an associate professor at Austin Peay State University, received $500,000 in a settlement and will be reinstated after being fired for resharing a social media post quoting Kirk's comments about gun deaths following his murder. These incidents highlight the ongoing debate surrounding free speech and the potential consequences for educators who express controversial opinions.
