After Charlie Kirk was killed on a college campus by a sniper’s bullet in September 2025, the fallout was immediate and intense.
According to reports, hundreds of Americans found themselves losing jobs, facing investigations, or being publicly shamed for social media posts about his death.
Among them was Julie Strebe, a 55-year-old sheriff’s deputy from Salem, Missouri, who posted her thoughts on Facebook describing Kirk as a racist and a sexist and refusing to feel sympathy for someone who had spread hate.
Within days, the post had spread far beyond her personal circle, and she found herself under attack.
Strebe says she was called a “lunatic with a badge,” accused of being a danger to her community, and targeted online for her son.
Even her husband’s woodworking business and charitable efforts were harassed by strangers.
Despite offering to take down her posts, it was too late. By November, a Reuters investigation showed over 600 people had been fired or disciplined for reactions to Kirk’s death, from harsh critiques to simple reposts of his words.
Some unexpected corners of the skateboarding world stepped forward to honor Kirk.
Tim Pool, the Boonies Skateboards CEO and journalist known for covering politics and social issues, posted heartfelt comments praising Kirk’s advocacy for free speech.
READ MORE: Tim Pool Mourns the Loss of His Friend and Hero Charlie Kirk
Pro skateboarder Jason Ellis shared memories of Kirk, describing him as someone who challenged people to think critically.
READ MORE: The Boonies Pro Skater Jason Ellis Speaks Out About the Assassination of Charlie Kirk
Legendary skaters Steve Caballero and Lance Mountain also paid tribute, expressing their respect and sorrow in posts across social media, showing that even in a world dominated by digital outrage, there were still voices calling for recognition of Kirk’s life and the principles he stood for.
Despite the backlash, some of those targeted refused to stay silent.
Strebe, Monica Meeks from Tennessee, and Lauren Vaughn from South Carolina all faced job terminations for their posts, some of which merely repeated Kirk’s own statements about gun rights.
Legal teams stepped in to challenge the firings, arguing that public employees have the right to express personal views on their own time.
Lawsuits were filed, settlements reached, and some employees were reinstated, highlighting the complicated balance between social media, public perception, and employment rights.
Not all who lost work wanted to fight. One private-sector employee who joked about Kirk’s death on Instagram chose not to pursue litigation, citing the trauma of public harassment and wanting to move on quietly.
Meanwhile, others like Julie Strebe were considering legal action not for the money but for principle, unwilling to let their careers be taken by mob mentality.
The situation also drew attention to the role of social media in amplifying outrage. Anonymous accounts, organized campaigns, and viral posts combined to create pressure on employers that sometimes had little to do with actual workplace behavior.
Lawyers noted that many companies acted preemptively, suspending or firing employees based on expected complaints rather than documented incidents.
For skaters watching, it’s a hard lesson in how fast sh*t can blow up online and how a dumb post can straight up cost you your job.