Tennessee theater teacher reinstated, with $500,000 settlement, after losing job over social media post linked to Charlie Kirk

Austin Peay State University has reinstated a professor who was fired for his social media post after themurder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The Tennessee school also pays the teacher $500,000 as part of the settlement.

Austin Peay spokesman Brian Dunn said Darren Michael returned to his tenured professorship at Clarksville Public University effective Dec. 30. A copy of the settlement agreement obtained through a public records request includes a $500,000 payment and reimbursement to counsel, as reported earlier this week byWKRN-TV.

The governor, attorney general and comptroller of Tennessee signed a document authorizing payment of the settlement.

Michael, a theater and dance teacher, was among those who said they faced aconservative reaction and punishment at workfor their online posts about Kirk’s fatal shooting in September. He was subsequently placed on suspended status.

In a Dec. 30 email to the university community, Austin Peay President Mike Licari said the school did not follow the required tenure termination process. Communication was another requirement of the regulations.

Licari added: “I deeply regret and apologize for the impact this has had on Professor Michael and our university community. I am committed to ensuring that due process and fairness are respected in all future actions.”

Two days after Kirk’s murder, Republican U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee circulated a screenshot indicating that Michael, on September 10, had published the headline of a 2023 news article saying: “Charlie Kirk says gun deaths ‘sadly’ worth keeping 2nd Amendment.” Blackburn, who is also running for governor, included a photograph and biography of Michael. She wrote: “What do you say, Austin Peay State University? and tagged the university’s account.

Blackburn’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the settlement.

David L. King, Michael’s lawyer, said the professor said “nothing threatening or offensive.” King denounced pressure from “outside forces” and said the ordeal “caused great harm” to Michael and his daughter.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com

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