{"id":330250,"date":"2026-01-08T17:18:01","date_gmt":"2026-01-08T22:18:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.etrafficlane.com\/60dollarmiracle\/tennessee-university-reinstates-professor-fired-for-charlie-kirk-post-and-settles-for-500k"},"modified":"2026-01-08T17:18:05","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T22:18:05","slug":"tennessee-university-reinstates-professor-fired-for-charlie-kirk-post-and-settles-for-500k","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.etrafficlane.com\/60dollarmiracle\/tennessee-university-reinstates-professor-fired-for-charlie-kirk-post-and-settles-for-500k","title":{"rendered":"Tennessee college reinstates professor fired for Charlie Kirk put up and settles for $500k"},"content":{"rendered":"


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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — <\/span>Austin Peay State University has reinstated a professor who was fired for his social media post after the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk<\/a>. The Tennessee school is also paying the teacher $500,000 in the settlement.<\/p>\n

Austin Peay spokesperson Brian Dunn said Darren Michael returned to his position as a tenured faculty member at the public university in Clarksville effective Dec. 30. A copy of the settlement agreement obtained through a public records request includes a $500,000 payment and reimbursement of counseling, as reported earlier this week by WKRN-TV<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Tennessee’s governor, attorney general and comptroller signed a document authorizing the settlement payment. <\/p>\n

Michael, a theater and dance professor, was among people who reported facing a conservative backlash and punishment at work<\/a> for their online posts about Kirk\u2019s fatal shooting in September. He was later moved to a suspension status.<\/p>\n

In a Dec. 30 email to the university community, Austin Peay President Mike Licari said the school did not follow the required tenure termination process. The communication was another requirement under the settlement.<\/p>\n

Licari added, \u201cI deeply regret and apologize for the impact this has had on Professor Michael and on our campus community. I am committed to ensuring that due process and fairness are upheld in all future actions.\u201d<\/p>\n

Two days after Kirk’s killing, Republican U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee circulated a screenshot indicating Michael on Sept. 10 had posted the headline of a 2023 news article reading, \u201cCharlie Kirk Says Gun Deaths \u2018Unfortunately\u2019 Worth it to Keep 2nd Amendment.\u201d Blackburn, who is also a candidate for governor, included a photograph and biography of Michael. She wrote, \u201cWhat do you say, Austin Peay State University?\u201d and tagged the university’s account.<\/p>\n

Blackburn’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the settlement.<\/p>\n

David L. King, Michael’s attorney, said the professor said \u201cnothing that was threatening or otherwise offensive.” King decried the pressure applied by \u201coutside forces\u201d and said the ordeal \u201ccaused a great deal of harm” to Michael and his daughter. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n


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