Professor Fired for Charlie Kirk Post Reinstated, Paid $500,000

A Tennessee university has reinstated a professor it fired for a social media post about conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The school will also pay him $500,000. Austin Peay State University (APSU) dismissed theater professor Darren Michael in 2025. The action followed a post he made after a man was charged with Kirk's killing. University spokesperson Brian Dunn confirmed Michael's return. He was reinstated as a tenured professor on December 30. A legal settlement obtained by WKRN-TV details the $500,000 payment. It also requires the university to reimburse Michael for counseling costs. The case highlights ongoing debates over free speech and social media policies at public universities.