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By Alice Gibbs
Senior Reporter
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Charlie Kirk's death may have ended one of the most polarizing careers in American politics, but it did not end the arguments surrounding him.
On the first anniversary of the conservative activist's killing, thousands paid tribute while others celebrated online. In the days that followed, those posts triggered a wave of backlash that swept across campuses, workplaces and social media feeds.
Professors, students and visa holders now find themselves at the center of a widening controversy, one that has become less about Kirk himself and more about where the line lies between political expression and personal consequence.
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The anniversary was marked by both commemoration and controversy. At the Republican National Committee's convention in Dallas on September 10, speakers paid tribute to Kirk and reflected on his influence on the conservative movement. Days later, a statue of the Turning Point USA founder outside the organization's Arizona headquarters was vandalized, underscoring how deeply divisive a figure he remains a year after his death.
Now, a Carnegie Mellon professor is under review after posts resurfaced online, students have issued public apologies after anti-Kirk content went viral, schools have publicly condemned content appearing to celebrate political violence, and one Canadian visa holder says she lost her job and must leave the United States. Together, the cases illustrate how reactions to Kirk's death continue to carry real-world consequences.
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Why Is Carnegie Mellon Professor Uju Anya Facing Scrutiny?
One of the latest flashpoints involves Uju Anya, an associate professor at Carnegie Mellon University, who referred to Kirk as a "s***bag" and said she hoped he would "rot in p***" while participating in online "Kirkiversary" posts marking the anniversary of the conservative commentator's death.
As criticism mounted, users also resurfaced a number of Anya's older posts, including a 2021 exchange in which she allegedly told another user, "Die first, white man," as well as earlier comments celebrating the death of conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh.
Screenshots of the posts spread rapidly across X before Carnegie Mellon University issued a public statement saying Anya was on a voluntary professional leave and would not be teaching courses during the current academic year. The university said it was "deeply concerned" by what it described as "hostile and threatening social media posts" and that it was reviewing the matter. A spokesperson later clarified that Anya's leave had been scheduled before the controversy emerged.
The controversy gained further attention after prominent figures, including Elon Musk, amplified criticism of Anya's posts on social media.
Newsweek has contacted Carnegie Mellon University and Uju Anya via email for comment.
Students Face Consequences Over Anti-Kirk Posts
Anya is far from the only person whose online activity has come under scrutiny. At the University of Utah, student Sara Larsen apologized after a photograph circulated showing her posing with a cake bearing the words "Happy Kirkiversary" on the first anniversary of Kirk's death.
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The image spread rapidly across X and other social media platforms, where users accused Larsen of celebrating Kirk's assassination. As the controversy grew, social media accounts shared Larsen's identity and called on organizations connected to her to respond.
Larsen later issued a public apology, acknowledging that she had made "a joke about Charlie Kirk's murder" and expressing regret for what she described as celebrating or contributing to the celebration of his death. She said she did not intend to glorify violence and apologized to those affected by the post.
The backlash soon expanded into a wider campus dispute. College Democrats of the University of Utah criticized what it described as the doxxing of Larsen and condemned efforts to target the student beyond criticism of the original post.
In Washington state, the Port Angeles School District issued a public statement after a photo circulated showing a student wearing a T-shirt designed to look like Kirk's with the word "Freedom" across it and fake blood splatter.
"We first want to be very clear that clothing that depicts, promotes, or celebrates violence is not permitted or tolerated in our schools," the district said.
The district added that it was taking "appropriate corrective action" but declined to discuss any actions involving individual students because of privacy requirements.
Newsweek has contacted the University of Utah, the College Democrats of the University of Utah and the Port Angeles School District for comment.
Beyond Campus: Job Losses and Immigration Questions
The fallout has also extended beyond universities and schools. Sabrina Messa, a Canadian citizen who had been living in Los Angeles, said on social media that she lost her job and had been given notice to leave the United States after comments made about the anniversary of Kirk's death.
Messa attracted attention after posting memes mocking Kirk and images showing people standing on a U.S. flag. As criticism spread online, she later said she had been fired "with cause" and received notice requiring her to leave the country.
In a post on X on Sunday, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said: “Sec. Rubio has frequently underscored that a US visa is a privilege, not a right. Just as I said a year ago, foreigners who celebrate violence and political assassination aren’t welcome guests in our country. The @StateDept has revoked a record number of visas this past year, and will continue to do so as necessary and appropriate to protect our people.”
The State Department does not comment on individual cases, but spokesperson Tommy Pigott told Newsweek: "People in the United States on visas are guests in this country, and we will not tolerate people here on visas who break our laws, support terrorism, or unlawfully incite violence, which ultimately led to the horrific assassination of an American. That is not only common sense, it’s an essential component of our national security. If that wasn’t the policy under the previous administration, it should’ve been, and it is now under the Trump administration."
In a subsequent apology, Messa acknowledged her posts had been insensitive and disrespectful to Kirk's family and said she accepted responsibility for them.
A Debate That Outlived Charlie Kirk
Whether such consequences are justified remains a matter of fierce disagreement.
Supporters argue that individuals who publicly celebrate the killing of a political figure should expect professional, academic and social repercussions. Critics counter that some responses have escalated into campaigns designed to damage educational opportunities, careers and personal lives.
One year after Kirk's death, the debate shows little sign of fading. Instead, the anniversary has highlighted how social media posts can continue to shape reputations, careers and public controversies long after they are published.
Update 9/14/26, 11:28 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Rebecca Flood and Emma Lee-Sang
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