Tennessee University to Pay Professor $1.9M After Calling Charlie Kirk a 'Disgusting Psychopath'
The deal pays Tamar Shirinian $1.9 million and ends her First Amendment suit, but it does not restore her job.
- On Tuesday, the University of Tennessee System Board of Trustees approved a $1.9 million settlement for former assistant professor Tamar Shirinian, who was fired for a social media post calling conservative activist Charlie Kirk a "disgusting psychopath" after his assassination.
- The dispute began September 12, 2025, when Shirinian commented on a Facebook post saying the "world is better off without him in it" two days after Kirk was shot dead at Utah Valley University; Chancellor Donde Plowman finalized her firing on February 11, 2026.
- According to Shirinian's amended complaint filed in March 2026, an anonymous donor identified as John Doe, labeled "John Doe #1," allegedly used "coercive economic pressure" by threatening to withdraw a $10 million estate gift, and the complaint stated Republican politicians and lawmakers pressured university leaders.
- The settlement does not return Shirinian to the classroom and still requires approval from Governor Bill Lee and Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti. Robb Bigelow, Nashville-based attorney, said, "My client is pleased that the parties reached a resolution," with final filings due by August 28, 2026.
- Reuters found about 600 people fired for posts about Kirk after his September 10, 2025 assassination, with more than $1.5 million in settlements before this case, while the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression reported tracking 13 federal lawsuits.
24 Articles
24 Articles
Tennessee university to pay professor $1.9M after calling Charlie Kirk a 'disgusting psychopath'
A University of Tennessee professor will receive $1.9 million to settle a lawsuit after being disciplined over social media posts criticizing conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The Tennessean
Tennessee professor's Charlie Kirk case settlement one of many across US
Tamar Shirinian won't be able to return to the University of Tennessee, but her settlement is one of the largest yet regarding Charlie Kirk comments.
Professor Fired for Criticizing Charlie Kirk Wins $1.9 Million Settlement
According to a report from The New York Times, the University of Tennessee at Knoxville has reached a substantial $1.9 million settlement with a former anthropology professor who was dismissed after posting critical comments about conservative activist Charlie Kirk following his assassination. Tamar Shirinian lost her position at the university over a private Facebook post […]
The University of Tennessee at Knoxville has settled with former anthropology professor Tamar Shirinian, paying her millions in damages after she was fired for a social media post following the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Shirinian wrote in the post that the world is better off without Kirk.
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