A Phoenix sports outlet fired its lead writer Thursday, a case of a writer fired over Charlie Kirk comments made on social media after the conservative commentator’s assassination on Wednesday.
Writer Fired Over Charlie Kirk Comments by PHNX
Phoenix sports outlet PHNX announced it fired its lead Phoenix Suns writer, Gerald Bourget, following his posts on the platform X. The company stated that his opinions did not align with its views. “The opinions expressed by our employees do not represent the views of PHNX or ALLCITY Network,” the company said.
PHNX added that it takes matters involving violence seriously. “We have addressed this matter with the individual and made the decision to part ways,” the statement concluded.
Bourget Explained His Controversial Statements
In his posts, Bourget stated he was “refusing to mourn” Kirk’s death, which occurred Wednesday at Utah Valley University. He distinguished between political disagreements and what he called Kirk’s “hateful rhetoric.“
“‘Political differences’ are not the same thing as spewing hateful rhetoric on a daily basis,” Bourget wrote. He added that “refusing to mourn a life devoted to that cause is not the same thing as celebrating gun violence.“
Bourget called Kirk’s killing the “Holy Grail of Ironies” and referred to the commentator as a “bigot” who spread “genocidal propaganda.” He also questioned the public’s reaction to the assassination.
“If you’re saddened by today’s ‘political violence,’… ask yourself why your reaction was different when it came to school shootings, mass deportations or the HUNDREDS of videos of horrific murders in Gaza (which Kirk cheered on),” he posted.
Carolina Panthers Staffer Fired for Similar Remarks
The fallout from Kirk’s death extended beyond Phoenix, as a Carolina Panthers staffer was also fired. The NFL team’s employee was terminated for making similar online comments regarding the assassination.
Police Arrest Suspect in Kirk’s Killing
On Friday, police arrested a suspect in the killing, identified as Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old Utah resident. According to Utah Governor Spencer Cox, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office received a tip that led to the arrest.
“A family member of Robinson’s contacted a family friend who then reached out to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office with information that Robinson had confessed to them or implied that he had committed the incident,” Cox stated.
