Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, spoke with Fox News Digital about whether Barstool would fire employees due to insensitive speech surrounding the assassination of Charlie Kirk. (Photo by Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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"Those expressions can have repercussions," Portnoy added.
The founder of the Barstool was quick to condemn the assassination of Charlie Kirk last week, posting to X that "it doesn’t matter what your opinion is of Charlie or his politics. If you don’t view this as one of the darkest days in American history, then you are part of the problem."
Barstool would not be the first company to fire an employee as many across the country have already taken action against staff who mocked Kirk’s assassination.
People hold candles and sing during a memorial and prayer vigil for Charlie Kirk at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)
The federal government has also taken action against employees for public comments surrounding Kirk’s assassination.
The Pentagon suspended an Army Col. Scott Stephens for celebrating Kirk’s death after the colonel published insensitive posts surrounding Kirk, with one saying that "we can take comfort in the fact that Charlie was doing what he loved best — spreading hate, racism, homophobia, misogyny, and transphobia on college campuses."
The Department of Homeland Security placed FEMA data analyst Gavin Sylvia on administrative leave after the employee criticized President Donald Trump for ordering flags at half-mast for Kirk’s assassination, referring to Kirk as "the literal racist homophobe misogynist" on social media.
Charlie Kirk (R) speaks on stage with President Donald Trump at America Fest 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona, on Dec. 22, 2024. (Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images)
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Amid the firings, Portnoy said "it's a case-by-case" but implied Barstool would consider it if comments were made that would justify administrative action.
Preston Mizell is a writer with Fox News Digital covering breaking news. Story tips can be sent to Preston.Mizell@fox.com and on X @MizellPreston
Preston Mizell is a writer with Fox News Digital covering breaking news.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/dave-portnoy-speaks-whether-barstool-sports-would-fire-employees-slandering-charlie-kirk