Washington Post columnist Karen Attiah says she was fired for her social media posts about political violence after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Attiah claimed she was punished for “speaking out against political violence, racial double standards, and America’s apathy toward guns”.
The Post declined to comment, but its staff guild accused management of violating standard procedures and undermining free speech.
FIRED: The Washington Post has reportedly dismissed a left-wing columnist, Karen Attiah, over ‘gross misconduct’ tied to her social media posts after Charlie Kirk's assassination. pic.twitter.com/hleCBx7M9F
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Attiah’s posts criticized what she called “performative mourning” for Kirk and suggested America excuses violent rhetoric from white men. She also misquoted a 2023 remark by Kirk on affirmative action, which two staffers said troubled Post management.
Her firing comes as Post owner Jeff Bezos reshapes the Opinion department to focus on “personal liberties and free markets.” Free expression group PEN America warned the dismissal and other recent suspensions could have a chilling effect on open debate.
