In a blow against cancel culture waged by far right conservatives to censor and silence anyone who speaks out against them, a Tennessee Professor was rewarded their job back after unfairly being fired for comments against far right political commentator Charlie Kirk a day after he was killed by another far right gunman.

https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2026/01/07/austin-peay-professor-clarksville-tn-fired-charlie-kirk-free-speech-social-media-settlement-lawsuit/88065303007/

Days after being reinstated to his position, a theater professor at Austin Peay State University will receive a $500,000 payout as part of a settlement following his firing in September due to comments he made on social media about conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.

A lawyer for Professor Darren Michael confirmed to The Tennessean that Michael will receive $500,000, as well as reimbursement for therapeutic counseling services, as part of a settlement agreement with the Clarksville university.

David King, Michael's attorney, confirmed that while the settlement closes the chapter on restoring Michael's employment, they are "exploring future options" against those who "interfered with (Michael's) First Amendment rights."

The settlement deal was first reported by WKRN.

Michael was reinstated to his position at the school on Dec. 30, 2025, three months after he was originally fired due to comments he made on social media about conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, after the school admitted to not following its termination policy.

Kirk, the founder of the conservative Turning Point USA organization, was killed during an event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. Following his death, Michael shared an article on his personal social media account titled "Charlie Kirk says gun deaths are ‘unfortunately’ worth it to keep 2nd Amendment,” which discussed controversial comments made by Kirk shortly after the Covenant School shooting.