Auburn University has fired multiple employees for making inappropriate social media comments following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, university officials announced Wednesday.
Among those terminated was Seth McCollough, a former middle school teacher who had been hired by Auburn University and was known for his drag persona “Colana Bleu.” McCollough reportedly posted that Kirk should “Rest in PISS” and stated he did not care about Kirk’s death.
Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed on September 10, 2025, while speaking at Utah Valley University in Utah. Tyler Robinson, has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with the shooting.
Auburn has not released a list of names of those terminated nor a total headcount and appears to be treating this as an internal personnel matter.
A message from Auburn University President Christopher B. Roberts pic.twitter.com/0l2mzOFDd1
— Auburn University (@AuburnU) September 17, 2025
In a statement released Wednesday afternoon, Auburn University President Christopher B. Roberts announced the terminations, citing violations of the university’s Code of Conduct. “It has come to our attention that there are Auburn employees who made social media posts that were hurtful, insensitive and completely at odds with Auburn’s values of respect, integrity and responsibility in violation of our Code of Conduct,” Roberts stated.
“We are terminating the employment of those individuals. We unequivocally condemn this conduct, which is antithetical to values we hold dear in the Auburn Creed,” the president continued.
Roberts emphasized the university community’s responsibility to maintain civility. “Every member of the Auburn Family has a responsibility to help foster a civil, respectful and supportive campus environment. Actions that endorse, glorify or trivialize violence undermine that responsibility, have no place at Auburn and fall short of the community of respect and integrity we work hard each day to uphold,” he said.
Auburn’s action reflects a broader national trend, with educators and employees across multiple states facing termination or suspension for similar social media posts celebrating or making light of Kirk’s assassination. Reports indicate at least 15-33 individuals nationwide have faced disciplinary action over their online comments.
