In the immediate aftermath of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk’s assassination on September 10, 2025, Tamar Shirinian, a Lebanese-born assistant anthropology professor at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, posted inflammatory remarks on social media. She wrote that “the world is better off without him,” adding that Kirk’s wife was “a sick fk” for marrying him and his children were “better off living in a world without a disgusting psychopath.”
The university swiftly acted. Chancellor Donde Plowman placed Shirinian on administrative leave on September 15, stating her comments violated institutional policies by “celebrating violence and murder” during heightened campus anxiety. In a follow-up letter dated September 16, Plowman cited specific violations warranting termination.
Shirinian defended her actions in a six-page response, claiming she was emotionally affected by Kirk’s statements and shifted blame to him for her reaction. She further detailed alleged hate mail she received and criticized the backlash over her remarks. Despite her efforts to reverse course—including requesting reinstatement from the university board—Plowman terminated Shirinian on February 11 after concluding her posts “celebrated a gruesome murder” while “callously demeaning the grief” of Kirk’s family.
Shirinian previously sued the university in October 2025, arguing it violated her First Amendment rights by retaliating for “political speech.” The case was set to go to trial in January 2027 but resolved with a $1.9 million settlement approved by the UT Board of Trustees’ Audit and Compliance Committee. Shirinian’s attorney described the agreement as “mutually acceptable,” noting it avoided litigation costs while addressing concerns.
The settlement requires final approval from the full UT Board of Trustees and Tennessee Governor Bill Lee (R). Shirinian expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating she would “wish the University, its students, faculty, and staff nothing but success.” Her professorship remains terminated, and her claims of victimhood have not been accepted by institutional authorities.
