A Texas State University student has been expelled after a viral video showed him mocking the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot dead while speaking at Utah Valley University last week. The incident sparked outrage from state leaders, with Governor Greg Abbott demanding swift action. University officials confirmed the student’s removal, citing behavior that “trivializes or promotes violence” as unacceptable. The controversy has now fueled wider debate on free speech, cancel culture, and political divisions in America.
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University Confirms Expulsion
Texas State University President Kelly Damphousse announced the expulsion in a statement, saying the student in the video is “no longer a student at the school.” He condemned the conduct, stating, “I will not tolerate behavior that mocks, trivializes, or promotes violence on our campuses. It is antithetical to our TXST values.” Officials declined to release additional details about the student or disciplinary process, citing privacy concerns.
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Viral Video Backlash
The video, widely shared online, shows the student climbing onto the “Fighting Stallions” statue in the center of campus. Wearing a backpack, he imitated Kirk’s fatal neck wound to mock the activist’s death. As he performed before the crowd, one person in the audience can be heard warning, “You’re going to get expelled, dude.” The video quickly drew condemnation from conservatives and was amplified by Governor Abbott on social media.
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Governor Abbott Demands Action
Governor Greg Abbott called for immediate expulsion, insisting that mocking assassinations cannot be tolerated. “The conduct is not accepted at our schools,” Abbott posted. His post added that mocking political killings must have consequences. Abbott’s public intervention heightened the pressure on the university to act swiftly, reinforcing the national attention the case had already drawn.
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Initial University Response
Before announcing the expulsion, President Damphousse confirmed he had directed officials to quickly identify the individual in the video. “Behavior that trivializes or promotes violence is reprehensible and violates the values of Texas State. It will not be tolerated,” he said. The president’s firm tone set the stage for disciplinary action, aligning with calls from state leadership.
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Jobs Lost Nationwide
The fallout over Charlie Kirk’s killing has extended beyond campus protests. An MSNBC analyst, a Carolina Panthers PR staffer, and others across the country have lost their jobs over comments regarding Kirk’s death. Some posts merely criticized Kirk’s political views, but conservatives online have aggressively highlighted such remarks, sparking accusations of selective enforcement and cancel culture.
Also read: Universities Face Backlash as Staff Punished for Social Media Posts on Charlie Kirk’s Death
Free Speech Debate
The incident has reignited arguments over whether controversial speech deserves protection, especially when tied to violent events. Critics argue the crackdown has a chilling effect on free expression, while supporters insist mocking an assassination crosses moral and ethical lines. Many conservative activists have taken to exposing individuals online, echoing practices that Kirk himself had long condemned as cancel culture.
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Political Divisions Widen
Charlie Kirk’s assassination, and the responses to it, have deepened partisan divisions. GOP lawmakers, including former President Donald Trump, have pointed to the killing as evidence of what they describe as left-wing extremism. The accused shooter, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, has yet to have his motive revealed. Still, the political framing around Kirk’s death has inflamed tensions nationwide.