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Airbus's demand is not affected by geopolitical factors
Airbus' Asia-Pacific President said on Tuesday that the geopolitical and supply chain challenges have not affected aircraft demand or deliveries. Anand Stanley, Airbus Asia-Pacific's President, said that the demand for Airbus aircraft in Asia-Pacific was "continuing to be strong". He made this statement during a Hong Kong briefing on Airbus' 2026-2045 Market Forecast. He said: "Not only do we see an increase in deliveries, but also a willingness to accept deliveries. This is not just in Asia-Pacific. We are also continuing to deliver in the Middle East." Airbus predicts that 42,000 new aircraft will be needed globally in the next 20 year, with 45% of them going to the rapidly growing Asia-Pacific region. Francois Cabaret of Airbus, the head of global forecasting, stated at an event that Chinese carriers have a lot to catch up on when it comes to renewing their fleets. Cabaret reported that before the COVID-19 pandemic Chinese airlines took about 400 'deliverys a year. Since then, the number of deliveries from Airbus Boeing and Chinese planemaker COMAC has fallen to less than half. Airbus data indicates that China, the'single biggest market for commercial jets', will require 8,830 new aircraft in the next 20 years. India will also need 3,480 and the rest of Asia-Pacific 6,880. Airbus' forecast also showed divergent growth in Asia. Airbus has raised its forecast for India's domestic air traffic growth to 9.3%, from 8.9%. China's is cut to 4.7%, from 5.4%.
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Saudi oil prices rise as pipeline problems and fresh attacks raise supply concerns
Oil prices increased on Tuesday, as fears of supply disruptions continued - after attacks on Saudi Arabian infrastructure that left the Kingdom's East West pipeline offline and cast doubt on efforts made to reduce shipping risks in Gulf. Brent crude futures were up $1.37 or 1.3% to $107.05 per barrel by 0406 GMT. Meanwhile, U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures rose $1.53 or 1.51% to $102.92 per barrel. Both benchmarks were up more than 1% the previous session. Iran-backed Houthi in Yemen launched new attacks on Saudi Arabia Monday. Gulf Arab states postponed scheduled discussions with Iran. This fuelled concerns that the Middle East Conflict could expand and disrupt global oil supplies. In retaliation to Saudi airstrikes in Yemen, the Houthis launched a missile attack and used drones on the Khamis Mushait Military Airbase in southern Saudi Arabia. They targeted aircraft hangars as well as radar systems, runways, and ammunition depots. The attacks were attributed by Riyadh to Iranian-backed fighters based in Iraq. They disrupted Saudi Arabia's East-West oil pipeline that allows the country to bypass the blockaded Strait of Hormuz. Tim Waterer is the chief analyst at KCM Trade. He said that oil traders treat every new attack or infrastructure damage as an incremental "supply risk" and are highly alert to any sign of a possible normalisation in the East-West Pipeline or Hormuz flow. The number of commodity vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz fell to fewer that 10 a day on the weekend from a 10-day daily average of 14. This is a significant drop for a route which carried approximately one-fifth of the global oil supply before the U.S. and Israeli war?on Iran started on February 28. Saudi Arabia may exhaust its oil exports within days, if it does not restore operations on the East West pipeline. This could remove?as high as 4% of the global oil supply, according to Saudi traders and buyers. The world's largest exporter used the pipeline to redirect around 4 million barrels of oil per day -- about 4% of the global supply -- to port of Yanbu on the Red Sea. There is still a lot of uncertainty about the extent of damage and the duration of outage of the East-West Pipeline in Saudi Arabia. Prices will likely remain stable until we 'get clarity,' ING analysts stated in a?"note". Separately on Monday, Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated that Kyiv would only support the U.S. proposal of a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine on energy sites if Washington could guarantee that Moscow was truly ready to end its conflict with Ukraine.
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The weather is bad on the third day of searching for 129 people missing in Indonesia after a ferry capsizes.
Officials said that rough seas hindered Indonesian rescuers as they searched for 129 missing people after a passenger vessel capsized in the Java Sea three day ago. Officials said that if weather conditions improved, rescuers, who are currently only conducting air and sea surface searches for survivors, would 'launch underwater operations to search for them in the sunken vessel. The Virgo transport 8 ship, which was carrying 243 passengers, went missing early Sunday morning due to bad weather. Six people are confirmed dead and 108 have been rescued from the ship, which was traveling from Surabaya (East Java) to Banjarmasin (South Kalimantan). I Putu Sudayana is the head of Banjarmasin Rescue Agency. He said that on day three, rescuers deployed 1,100 coastguard and navy personnel, as well as 10 helicopters and aircraft, and 17 vessels. "Weather remains the same as yesterday. It is not favorable this morning." "Wave still high, between 1,75 metres and 2.5 metres (5.7-8.2 ft)," he said. Mohammad Syafii told reporters that the bad weather on Monday prevented rescuers from carrying out underwater searches for the missing. He added that rescuers had not found any new bodies or survivors during the search on Monday. Syafii stated that the agency's team would continue to monitor the weather conditions on Tuesday to determine if underwater rescue operations can proceed. Syafii stated that underwater rescue will involve specialists from the Navy and rescue agency capable of diving at depths greater than 100 metres (328 ft), Syafii. He added, "Of Course we still hope to find the victims alive." Syafii added that the navy would also deploy its Canopus vessel, which is equipped with a?underwater drone and a multibeam echoe-sounder for locating potential targets, as well as a remotely controlled vehicle (ROV) to make closer assessments. Divers could be safer in low visibility, with strong currents or around a capsized ship. Syafii stated that underwater operations were difficult because the capsized vessel was unstable. It could move unexpectedly due trapped air and empty compartments. Divers may also experience sudden pressure changes. He said, "We're also looking at?how we can turn the ship back up from its current position." The ship has now reached a depth 30 metres (98 feet) and the authorities are looking at pulling it back to the surface.
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Saudi Arabian pipeline disruption and fresh attacks on supply raise concerns about oil prices
The price of oil rose on Tuesday, as fears about supply disruptions continued after an attack on Saudi Arabia's?energy infrastructure knocked the East-West pipeline off line and cast doubt on efforts to reduce shipping risks in Gulf. Brent crude futures were $1.24 higher, 1.18% to $106.93 per barrel at 0026 GMT. They had risen 1% the previous day. U.S. West Texas intermediate futures were $1.29 higher, 1.24% to $102.65 per barrel after rising 1.3% during the previous session. Iran-backed Houthi troops in Yemen launched new attacks on Saudi Arabia Monday. Gulf Arab states delayed planned discussions with Iran. This fuelled concerns that the Middle East Conflict could expand and disrupt global oil supplies. In retaliation to Saudi airstrikes in Yemen, the Houthis launched a missile attack and used drones on the Khamis Mushait Military Airbase in southern Saudi Arabia. They targeted aircraft hangars as well as radar systems, runways, and ammunition storage depots. The attack on Saudi Arabia on Friday, which Riyadh attributed to Iranian-backed fighters in Iraq disrupted Saudi Arabia's East-West Pipeline, which allowed oil exports to bypass the blocked Strait of Hormuz. Tim Waterer is the chief analyst at KCM Trade. He said that oil traders treat every new attack or infrastructure damage as an incremental risk to supply. They are also highly alert for any signs of a possible normalisation in the East-West Pipeline or Hormuz flow. The number of commodity vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz fell to less than 10 per day on the weekend from an average of 14 over the past ten days. This is a significant drop for a route which carried approximately one-fifth of the global oil supply before the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran began on 28 February. Saudi Arabia may exhaust its oil supply within days, if it does not re-establish operations on the East West pipeline. This could remove as much as 4% from global 'oil supply,' according to Saudi traders and buyers. The world's largest exporter used the pipeline for a rerouting of around 4 million barrels a day --?around 4% global supply?- to the port of Yanbu, on the Red Sea. The big question for traders is how long the East-West blackout will last. Waterer said that any prolonged disruption, and the resulting loss of supply, could easily push prices up to the next level. Separately President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated on Monday that Kyiv would support the U.S. proposal of a Russia-Ukraine energy ceasefire only if Washington can ensure Moscow is genuinely prepared to end its conflict with Ukraine.
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French power sector strikes shut down 6.5 gigawatts overnight
EDF data shows that a French labor strike in the 'electricity sector' took 6.5 Gigawatts of power offline overnight on Monday as unions protested a recommendation to curb employee benefits like access to cheaper electricity. The main source of electricity cut was seven French nuclear reactors. Several hundred megawatts from?gas-fired or hydroelectric power were also taken offline. France produces about 70% of its electricity with its 57 reactor fleet. It is also a major?exporter at a time where power prices are high, as countries like Germany that rely on gas have to pay a higher price to generate electricity. Data from EDF shows that the disruption lasted until Tuesday morning. The strike is expected Tuesday to continue through the entire day, which means that the outages may be increased or renewed. The French energy sector offers discounted gas and electricity rates to workers and retirees. Their?unions consider this a key part of their compensation package. In July, the French Court of Auditors recommended that EDF stop receiving this benefit. They estimated it would cost EDF more than EUR700 million (808.22 million dollars) in lost revenues by 2024. The court recommended that EDF limit annual wage increases and phase out its energy benefits. EDF is facing major investment costs in upgrading its nuclear fleet, and planning new reactors.
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AirBaltic CEO: AirBaltic is in negotiations with unions about reducing staff as part of restructuring.
AirBaltic has been in discussions with the labour unions in order to reach an agreement regarding an "adjustment of?the workforce", Chief Executive Erno Hilden said on?Monday, after the Latvian airline announced that it had voluntarily entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. Hilden stated that a reduction in capacity would lead to a shift in the workforce. It's time to come up with some numbers after all that. AirBaltic filed under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code on Monday in New York. It is seeking to restructure its debt, avoid creditors and survive a 'deepening crisis within the sector brought about by the Iran War. Hilden was previously the CFO of Scandinavian Airlines, where he led the company through a similar process. He added that airBaltic operations would not be interrupted or changed during the Chapter 11 proceedings. He said the most significant changes would be made to the "wet leasing" business of the airline, which involves lending out planes and crews to other carriers for a fee. Chairperson of the Latvian Aviation Union,?Dacekavasa, said? The Latvian aviation union's chairperson,?Dace Kavasa, told? The consultations on collective dismissal are still ongoing. Many unknowns exist. Kavasa stated that there are serious disagreements about the objectivity of certain?proposed criterion. They hoped for some positive decisions to be made by the end the week.
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Wizz Air CEO: AirBaltic and other carriers are at risk
Wizz Air's CEO Jozsef Varradi said that the bankruptcy of airBaltic offers few, if any, opportunities and expects other European airlines to be affected by this. These airlines were unable?to hedge against high fuel prices. ?on Monday. Varadi, speaking at a conference organized by the International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading, said that the recent spike in oil prices "sucks liquidity from the industry very quickly." "I believe they'll be in a difficult situation." Wizz, the Latvian state-owned airline and airBaltic are located at opposite ends of Europe’s vast aviation market. Both have been shaped over the past two decades by Europe’s eastward expansion followed by a collapse in relations with Russia. Varadi stated that "there are no Russians now, and airBaltic just is too big for such a small market as Latvia." Does it interest us?" "Very limited to be honest... Latvia is on the 'periphery of Europe, then you have a Russian border. "So, given the current geopolitics, how can you implement that concept?" Varadi founded Wizz with eight other countries in 2003, just as Hungary and Latvia were about to enter the European Union. Moscow's invasion in Ukraine 2022 harmed its network, but it continued to grow. AirBaltic set out to be a regional hub carrier, but the loss of Russian routes, traffic, and high fuel prices left it reeling. Since the beginning of the Iran War, airlines around the world have been struggling with high oil costs. Varadi, a representative of ISTAT, said that Wizz has hedged 80% its oil needs for the next 12 months at half market price. Varadi said that this year will be bumpy for the oil industry as it deals with oil prices and geopolitics, but there could also be opportunities. "We've noticed a vacuum in Italy. He said that we were "pushing" a lot more capacity to Italy, Romania, Albania, and other places.
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Winter is on its way: AirBaltic's debt woes presage a tough season for smaller airlines
The aviation industry is bracing itself for a difficult winter after Latvian airline airBaltic filed Chapter 11 procedures?on Monday. Jet fuel prices are continuing to rise due to the Iran War. AirBaltic, a U.S. competitor, filed for bankruptcy in May, after seeking protection prior to the war. The margins of airlines are relatively small compared to those in other industries, making them more vulnerable to geopolitical instability, especially in winter, when bookings and travel drop, and they lose the money they made in summer. SAVING RETURNS The price of jet fuel is expected to remain high for as long as the Strait of Hormuz is blocked. This will put additional pressure on smaller carriers. Aviation analyst John Strickland said that smaller niche players were most at risk. The fuel price has doubled since the beginning of the war in late February. However, there are some advantages for larger budget airlines. Last month, Wizz 'Air reported that its operating losses had increased in the first three months. It also said it expected revenue per seat in the current third to continue to fall after cutting fares in order to attract more passengers. In August, they reached an 'all-time high of 8.7 million passengers. Wizz Air, supported by strong liquidity and a disciplined hedge programme, continues to grow, invest and serve more customers. James Halstead of Aviation Strategy said that Wizz Air's stock market listing puts it in a stronger position than state-owned carriers. "They're growing fast, which means they're sacrificing current returns for future stability. He said they have a good operating model, a great brand, and support. AirAsia, a budget airline in Southeast Asia, is looking to raise new capital following a restructuring and consistent losses, while Air Transat, a Canadian carrier, has been struggling with rising jet fuel prices. AirAsia stated that it did not see any problems with the sustainability of its business and saw a strong demand at the underlying level. AirAsia stated in a press release that it is committed to maintaining stable operations and business continuity across its markets. We continue to see a strong demand for our services across the network. "We also work closely with our stakeholder to manage our financial requirements and operational needs." Air Transat didn't immediately respond to our request for a comment. More routes for bigger players Executives and investors have said that a tough market may force some smaller national carriers to cede their routes to bigger, more well-funded rivals. Analysts say that budget airlines like Ryanair and Wizz air could pose a threat to them. These airlines have taken over secondary airports in an effort to grow and are now offering better prices for consumers. Wizz Air CEO Jozsef Varadi told reporters in August that the airline was eager to take over routes from Romanian state-backed carrier TAROM. TAROM didn't immediately respond to a comment request. The more difficult market conditions may accelerate the long-term trend in Europe of consolidation. This could push some smaller carriers to larger?groups, such as British Airways' owner IAG, Lufthansa, and Air France-KLM. Norse Atlantic has started in July a process of?sale' or?merger. It did not respond immediately to a comment request. Since years, the state-owned Polish carrier LOT is suspected of being a target for consolidation. LOT did respond immediately to a comment request. AirBaltic said that it was 'looking for another strategic investors, but no one has yet publicly expressed interest. Lufthansa has a 10% stake but says it doesn't intend to increase that stake. It refused to comment on its possible next steps in light of airBaltic's Chapter 11 proceedings. Analysts said that airBaltic could still survive and recover from Chapter 11 proceedings, unlike Spirit. Strickland cited the Scandinavian competitor SAS as an example of how to turn things around.
SPECIAL RELEASE-The Charlie Kirk Purge: How 600 Americans suffered in a pro Trump crackdown
Lauren Vaughn is a kindergarten assistant from South Carolina. When she saw that Charlie Kirk, a right-wing influential, had been shot during an event in Utah. She opened Facebook and typed a quote by Kirk.
Kirk, in 2023, said that gun deaths were "unfortunate" but "worth it," if they protected "the Second Amendment, to protect our God-given Rights." Vaughn then added, "Thoughts, and prayers."
Vaughn is a 37-year old Christian who has made missionary trips in Guatemala. She said that her request for prayer was genuine. She said that she hoped Kirk's words, in context with the shooting, would prompt her friends to pray.
Rethinking their opposition to gun controls
She thought, "Maybe they will now listen."
Vaughn was fired a few days later. Vaughn was among more than 600 Americans who were terminated, suspended, investigated or disciplined for their comments regarding Kirk's assassination on September 10, according to an analysis of court documents, public statements, reports from local media and interviews with 20 people who had been fired or otherwise disciplined.
Some people were fired for celebrating or mocking Kirk’s death. At least 15 people received discipline for invoking "karma," "divine justice," or variations of "Good riddance"; nine other people were disciplined for saying "Good riddance." One poster said, "One down and plenty more to go."
Some, such as Vaughn say that they simply criticised Kirk's political views.
At least one academic in the pro-Kirk group was placed on administrative leave for threatening to "hunt" down those who celebrated the assassination.
The most comprehensive account of the backlash to Kirk's critics to date, this report traces how local Republican legislators and other influencers mobilized in support of Donald Trump's movement. This story outlines the pro-Trump retaliation machinery that is reshaping American politics. It details its size and tactics, from public humiliation to social media shaming.
Pressure
on employers
Threats to defund institutions. Previous reports have documented how
Trump has purge the federal government
Employees he deems to be opponents of his agenda
Law firms are being targeted for a crackdown
People in the crosshairs of the administration need to be defended.
Sometimes, Americans lose their jobs for speaking out during heated political moments. In 2020, 22 academics lost their jobs.
George Floyd is murdered
According to the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (a group that advocates for free speech), a Minneapolis officer has fired more than 160 people, many for making comments that were deemed offensive. According to Palestine Legal, a group that protects civil rights for American supporters of Palestinian cause, in 2024, after the outbreak of the most recent Israel-Gaza conflict, more than 160 individuals were fired because of their pro-Palestinian activism.
It is notable that Trump, JD Vance, and other government officials have publicly backed the backlash against comments made about Kirk's shooting. This is a dramatic change for Republicans who, for years, have criticized the left's "cancel-culture" -- the exclusion or punishment of people whose opinions were deemed unacceptable.
The supporters of the firings claim that freedom of expression does not mean freedom from consequences. Doctors, lawyers and teachers should all have high standards of conduct.
They said that emergency workers in positions of trust by the public are not included.
Abigail Jackson, White House spokesperson, said in a statement: "President Trump, and the entire Administration, will not hesitate to tell the truth. For years, radical leftists slandered political opponents as Nazis or Fascists. This has inspired left-wing violence. It must stop." She continued: "No one understands the dangers associated with political violence better than President Trump", after he survived his two assassination efforts.
Turning Point USA (the youth movement Kirk founded) said in a press release that it supports the right to freedom of speech. "This includes the right of private employers to decide when an employee has crossed a line and deserves to be terminated." The organization cautioned, however, that while celebrating Kirk's death is "evil and unqualified behavior," respectfully disagreeing to his ideas, values, or statements is every American’s right.
Vaughn filed a federal lawsuit on September 18 seeking her reinstatement. She submitted a
Letter
Vaughn filed a lawsuit against the Spartanburg County school district after it received a letter from its superintendent describing her remarks as 'inflammatory, unprofessional and inappropriate.' The district responded by saying Vaughn was unable to prove the allegations.
s post "a
"Pared to endorse Mr. Kirk’s murder or to indicate that it was ‘worth' his losing his life to defend Americans' constitutional rights."
The district has declined to comment further.
Social media campaigns have been used to punish offenders. They circulate screenshots, names, and phone numbers of employers and messages such as "Internet, do what you want." What follows is usually hundreds of angry and threatening messages. In interviews, several people who were targeted claimed that they received a flood of phone calls. One person recalled getting a phone call every minute of the day. At least two people said that the harassment was so severe they were planning to sell their home.
Julie Strebe lost her job as a sheriff deputy in Salem Missouri after she posted comments about the shooting on Facebook, including: "Empathy isn't owed to oppressors." Later, she said that she viewed Kirk, who she described as an oppressor, because he used his platform to rally white conservative Christians around "racists, sexists, and hateful views."
Strebe says she has installed five cameras in her home to monitor her and her family. She also fuels her vehicle only at night, so as not to disturb her neighbors. Salem is a small town, and moving would mean leaving extended families. But she says the city has become too hostile for her to stay. In an interview, she stated: "I don't think I can ever let down my guard." The Dent County Sheriff's Office declined to comment on Strebe's previous employer.
Many Republican officials are in favor of the punitive campaigns. Some have
Proposed extraordinary measures
The U.S. government has banned those who are deemed to have revelled in Kirk's murder from using social media. The U.S.
State Department revoked visas
The agency has said that six foreigners are "
"We celebrated the horrendous murder of Charlie Kirk."
On September 15, Vice-President JD Vance called on his listeners in a special podcast episode of Kirk to punish those who celebrate Kirk's demise.
Vance said, "Call out their employer, hell, even call them." Vance's Office pointed out comments made by the vice president earlier this year, in which he said: "Where I draw the lines is encouraging violence against politicians."
Academics have compared this backlash with the "Red Scare," an anti-Communist purge which peaked in 1950, when government officials, union leaders, and Hollywood stars were accused of Communist connections. In a climate that was characterized by fear, thousands were investigated. This influenced American politics and culture over a period of a decade. Landon Storrs is a history professor at the University of Iowa. He said that there are "very troubling parallels".
The crackdown has caused concern among several prominent Republicans, particularly after the Federal Communications Commission publicly pressured ABC to suspend Jimmy Kimmel's talk show following his monologue where he implied that Kirk Kirk's killer was a member of the political right. The police have not fully revealed the results of their investigation on Tyler Robinson or his motives. Robinson has not entered a guilty plea to the murder charges and other charges brought against him.
Ted Cruz, a Republican senator, warned in his podcast that allowing the government to decide "what speech is acceptable and what is not" creates a dangerous precedent. He said that while it might be nice to silence voices such as Kimmel, "we will regret it when it is used to quiet down every conservative in America." His spokesperson declined any further comments.
'MASSIVE PURGE THESE EVIL PSYCHOS
Kirk's critics were punished almost immediately.
Right-wing influencers mobilized about 30 minutes after Trump announced that Kirk was dead. Chaya Raichik of the popular Libs of TikTok posted "THIS Is War" on X before highlighting a Massachusetts Teacher who wrote: "Just a Reminder, We're Not Offering Sympathy."
By the end of the night, Libs of TikTok published or reposted 37 professional details, often accompanied with commentary like "absolutely vile," Your tax dollars pay her salaries," or "Would he teach your kids?"
The next day, Libs from TikTok wrote: "It is actually frightening how many of these people are teachers and doctors." We need to purge these evil psychos, who are out to kill us all for having different political views.
Libs of TikTok, in the week following the shooting, shared the profiles and names of at least 134 individuals accused of celebrating violence and mocking Kirk’s memory. They frequently tagged Trump administration officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Attorney General Pam Bondi. The influencer has posted information about disciplinary measures taken against government employees.
"BREAKING! This Marine was Fired," Libs of TikTok wrote on September 12th, a day after calling a Marine Corps Captain out. According to a screenshot shared by the influencer, the officer responded to Kirk's passing with an emoji showing clinking beer cups. The captain refused to comment on the post. Libs of TikTok reported similar disciplinary action against an Army Reserve officer, and an Army Colonel who commented on the death via social media.
The Pentagon and Justice Department released
The following are some statements that may be helpful:
They condemned the celebrations surrounding Kirk's death, but didn't address questions regarding their relationship with Libs from TikTok.
Scott Presler, a right-wing influencer, began to post screenshots of Kirk's comments.
On September 10, he instructed his followers to take a screenshot of every single person who was celebrating. He told his followers on September 10: "You can bet that we will make these people infamous." Presler then shared on X posts about 70 people who commented on the murder, writing in one message, "Almost everyone we posted about - who celebrated Charlie Kirk’s assassination - has been fired." Presler did not respond to comments.
The wave of shootings was a catharsis for many right-wingers who were outraged at the celebrations of the left.
Matt Walsh, a right-wing podcaster who discussed the firings, told his listeners that it was good for them to be humiliated. They would have to live with their consequences the rest of the time. Walsh replied by email: "F**k off."
Video blogger and recovery coach on YouTube
JD Delay expresses glee
He read out the names of those people who lost their jobs because of their remarks.
"I'm having a good time!" He shouted and raised his hands, expressing excitement. Delay said that he believed in "accountability" and "consequences", and that "if publicly saying abhorrent words and getting fired from your work, I will laugh at you."
Sometimes the punishment campaign veered from its original course. In at least five instances, people were wrongly blaming for the comments of others. Another case.
A website that created a blacklist
After receiving tens and thousands of dollars worth of cryptocurrency donations, the website "Expose Charlie's Killers" disappeared. The site's creators could not be identified or contacted for comment.
Online influencers claimed to have received tips from people who wanted Kirk's critics fired. Was unable to verify these figures. Presler, Libs on TikTok, and other right-wing personalities have publicly urged tippers to be patient while they work through the large volume of submissions.
Presler, who wrote "Can't stay up with you all" on X September 12, said: Post your submissions and I will go through them as soon as I can.
The post received more than 2,700 responses a day later.
It is possible that the number of people who were punished for criticizing Kirk was undercounted. Many government and private organizations have not publicly announced terminations or suspensions.
The people who were punished represented at least 45 different states, and a wide range of professions, including doctors, nurses, and police officers, as well as soldiers, pilots, and other professionals.
An Office Depot employee in Michigan was fired for refusing to print Kirk's memorial poster. A Starbucks barista in Ohio lost her job when she was accused of writing a message against Kirk on a mint tea cup.
The barista and Office Depot employee's identities were not known. Office Depot and Kroger, the grocery chain that operates the Ohio Starbucks, condemned the anti Kirk incidents and said that the people involved are no longer employees.
The requests to 21 federal agencies, including Homeland Security, Veterans Affairs, and the Defense Department, for the number or suspensions or dismissals related to the Kirk murder were either ignored, or declined. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence's deputy chief of staff responded to the inquiry on social media by accusing the office of trying "to generate sympathy for the ghouls that celebrate his death."
EDUCATORS ARE ONE OF THE MAIN TARGETS
Teachers, university administrators and academics were the most commonly punished for criticizing Kirk. In the days after the assassination more than 350 education workers, including 50 senior university administrators and academics, three high-school principals, two cheerleading coach and a theology teacher, were either fired, suspended, or investigated.
It is possible that educators are at the forefront of the backlash due to a number of factors. Teachers, as the people tasked with molding young minds, have been portrayed by conservatives for years as ideologues whose goal is to push their students to the left. Teachers' status as taxpayer funded employees made any perceived political commentary particularly explosive.
Six teachers have also spoken out in interviews and public statements. They cited their concern about the prevalence of gun violence in schools across the country, and their anger towards those like Kirk who advocated for widespread access to guns.
Vaughn, a South Carolina kindergarten assistant said she was thinking about this when she posted Kirk's 2023 comment on Facebook, dismissing fatal shootings as a price to be paid to protect gun rights. She said that, like other teachers in the United States, she practiced active shooter drills regularly at her elementary school. She saw the fear on her 5-year-olds faces as they learned to hide from a armed gunman.
She told a friend on Facebook that the day Kirk was killed, she had "no satisfaction" with the murder. She said: "Just heartbreak and hope for anyone and everyone affected by gun violence, and that one day enough will be enough." Later, she told a friend that her message was motivated by concern for children.
Right-wing influencers circulated screenshots of the posts. The original posts may have been deleted, or made private. The Virginia teacher has been suspended, and the Texas internship terminated. Both could not be reached for comment.
Some private employers cited a violation of their company values or safety issues as the reason for terminating employees. The corporations that were caught up in this backlash had a number of reasons for their actions. Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian stated in a press release that some employees' statements were "starkly in contrast" with the company's core values and violated the social media policy. United Airlines said it has "zero tolerance" for any form of politically motivated violence.
Some of the Kirk critics, who had taken pains to condemn this shooting, were also fired or suspended after Republican legislators got involved.
Joshua Bregy shared a Facebook post by another user in the wake of Kirk Kirk's death. The post read: "Nobody should be shot down. Not a child, not an influential, not a political figure -- no one. Will I allow others to turn a flawed person whose words have caused significant damage into a martyr? Not a chance."
Clemson Republicans reposted a part of the message in which they called him "ANOTHER LEFTIST PROFESSOR" and demanded his dismissal. Right-wing influencers amplified the post, and Republican state legislators threatened to defund Bregy's public university if he wasn't fired.
Clemson first pledged, in a statement on September 12, to "stand firm on the principles the U.S. Constitution including the protection for free speech."
Clemson fired Bregy after the South Carolina House Speaker and Senate President sent a letter demanding "immediate and appropriate action" from Clemson trustees. Bregy’s Facebook post "was blatantly unprofessional," and "seriously detrimental to the university," Clemson said.
In a letter, Bregy was informed that he had been fired.
Bregy is
Clemson filed a reinstatement petition in federal court in South Carolina. Allen Chaney, his lawyer, said that the academic would still be in the same position "but for the aggressive and coercive tactics used by elected officials in South Carolina."
Clemson's State House Speaker Murrell Smith, and Senate President Thomas Alexander have not responded to requests for comments. Clemson is yet to respond to Bregy’s lawsuit.
At least six times, Republican officials threatened to deny taxpayer funding to universities and schools if Kirk's critics were not fired.
Chaney, the legal director for the South Carolina chapter American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), said that the threats of defunding Clemson, and other universities, crossed a constitutional boundary. He said that the government cannot police speech through third-party pressure. The Supreme Court ruled unanimously last year that government officials could not use their authority to "attempt coerce" third parties to punish or suppress speech they don't like.
Paul McGreal, constitutional law professor and Kirk critic at Creighton University Law School (Nebraska), said that the threats of defunding schools who refuse to fire Kirk's critics are "stunning". Government officials threaten speakers with punishment if they don't agree with their views. They are violating the core First Amendment rights."
KIRK HONORED AS '13TH DELIGIOUS' OF CHRIST
Many Republicans have portrayed Kirk as a saintly champion for free speech since Kirk's murder. Evangelicals have compared him to Saint Stephen who is revered as Christianity’s first martyr. One Republican lawmaker said that Kirk would have been the "13th disciple" if he had lived in Biblical time. When he awarded Kirk the posthumous award, Trump compared him to ancient Greek philosopher Socrates and slain president Abraham Lincoln.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom
Kirk's legacy, however, is complex. Kirk gained notoriety for his debates with college students, as part of Turning Point. Kirk advocated criminalizing expressions - like pornography -- that conflicted with Christian beliefs. Kirk backed Trump when Black footballers began kneeling in protest against police brutality during the National Anthem. Later, the White House said that Trump was making a declaration and not a proposal.
Kirk denigrated minorities repeatedly, calling transgenders an "abomination", warning against "prowling Blacks in cities", accusing wealthy Jews for inciting "hatred towards Whites", and declaring Islam to be incompatible with Western civilisation. He dismissed Pope Francis as being a Marxist.
Kirk's hagiography upset some of those who spoke against him after his death.
Kimberly Hunt said, "I felt compelled in an interview to remind people of who he was, and what he represented." Kimberly Hunt is a human resource worker from Arizona. She posted a video with the caption "Save your tears, not for him."
Hunt, in the video, cited Kirk’s history of using derogatory words about transgenders and Muslims before saying that his children were "better off without him". Hunt was promptly fired. Her employer, a construction company in Arizona, has not responded to requests for comments.
Hunt said she was aware that her words were harsh, but stood by them. She said that they were Kirk's position in a discussion last year, where he stated that if Kirk had a daughter of 10 years old who was impregnated by rape "the baby would have been delivered."
Many voices have been silenced by the retaliation. Many people who made anti-Kirk remarks have now deleted or locked their account. In interviews, others said they were pushing back.
Hunt has raised over $88,000 through a GoFundMe page titled "Doxxed - Fired - But Not Silenced". She plans to use the funds to continue her education, to become a content producer, and to keep calling people like Kirk out.
She said, "It has definitely emboldened me."
State and federal court documents show that at least 19 lawsuits were filed against employers who punished Kirk Critics. At least two plaintiffs were successful, including a South Dakota academic who was able to get his teaching job.
Karen Leader, associate professor at Florida Atlantic University took to social media to protest the narrative that Kirk was "a shining example for youth, and a noncontroversial person who wanted an open and civil dialog," she said. Anyone who works in higher education understands that it is not as simple as that.
She pointed out that Turning Point gained prominence because of its Professor Watchlist. This site encouraged students to report professors for holding "radical-left" views or supporting terrorism.
Kirk described the Watchlist not as a blacklist, but rather a tool for raising awareness. In interviews, on social media and in public forums, those who were listed said that the Watchlist encouraged harassment and intimidation. A Turning Point reporter in 2023 was accused of assaulting a professor from Arizona who was on the Watchlist, after confronting him about his sexuality on camera and pushing him to the floor. The reporter was sentenced to a diversionary program after he admitted to harassing, assaulting and disorderly behavior. Turning Point's cameraman confessed to harassing the reporter in this case.
Leader started posting Kirk's previous statements on X starting September 10. She deleted the post after admitting that she had made an error by accusing Kirk incorrectly of using an ethnic slur. She said that she stood by the rest of her posts, including one in which Kirk claimed that Black Americans had been "better" under Jim Crow.
Leader stated, "I never encouraged violence in any way." "I was sharing the evidence."
Jordan Chamberlain is a former employee of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. She shared screenshots from several posts by Leader and asked her university if they approved the content. Libs from TikTok posted Leader's faculty photo. The president of the university announced that she was placed on administrative leave. The university's president announced that she had been placed on administrative leave.
menacing messages followed
The caller stated in a voicemail that was reviewed by us: "We are coming to get you." Karen Leader, you know where to find us. As soon as we know your address, we'll come to you. Leader hasn't left her apartment in years.
According to a police document, she reported the threats made to Boca Raton Police, who referred the matter to campus police officers. Florida Atlantic University Police said that their report couldn't be released due to an ongoing criminal investigation.
Florida Atlantic University confirmed that Leader was among three academics on leave while investigations were underway. The university declined to comment further. Chamberlain did not return an email asking for comment.
Leader replied, "I don't really know if my career has ended or not." But my life has changed." Additional reporting by Phil Stewart in Washington, Jana Winter and Courtney Rozen, in Los Angeles, and Isaac Vargas, in Washington. Jason Szep, Linda So and Jason Szep edited the story.
(source: Reuters)