An NBA Beat writer was fired for comments on social media that he made about Charlie Kirk’s death.
Gerald Bourguet, a Suns Beat reporter for PhNX Sports, wrote a series of messages on X that started a commotion on the platform after the conservative political commentator was shot and killed during an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.
“” Political differences “are not the same as spewing and refusing of daily hateful rhetoric and refusing to mourn a life devoted to that cause is not the same as celebrating arms violence,” ” Bourguet’s X -Thread started on Wednesday. “So that we are 100% clear about that.”
“If you are saddened by the ‘political violence’ of today, shocked by the video, or divested by my reaction, ask yourself why your reaction was different when it came to shootings at school, mass deportations or the hundreds of videos of horrible murders in Gaza (Die Kirk cheered),” Bourguet wrote.
“It really doesn’t matter if you think it is insensitive or bad timing to refuse to respect a bad man who died. To many of you are more concerned to be polite and * appearing to be good people instead of showing a damn backbone and being a director,” Bourguet added.
PHNX Sports does not refer to Bourguet by name in a statement in which the dismissal was announced, but the Arizona Republic confirmed that he was the one who went.
“The opinions of our employees do not represent the views of PHNX of Allcity Network,” The company wrote About X. “We are very serious about the things that concern violence to ensure that Allcity remains a safe place for both our employees and the community. We have tackled this issue with the individual and decided to take the decision to leave.”
Stay informed about the shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk
Bourguet is the second known figure in the sports world that is fired for messages on social media about Kirk.
The NFL’s Panthers fired Charlie Rock, a communication coordinator, for an “insensitive social media post” after the fatal shooting.
“The views of our employees are their own stand and represent those of the Carolina Panthers. We have not approved any form of violence. We take this case very seriously and have tackled it accordingly with the individual,” the team said in a statement.
On Wednesday evening, Kirk was honored by the Yankees, who held a moment of silence before their match against the Tigers.
Giants Rookie Quarterback Jaxson Dart condemned the shooting and called the murder of Kirk “disgusting and sad” in a post on social media.
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