By Jordan Parker, The Dallas Morning News
DALLAS — A pilot for American Airlines was “grounded and removed from service” after mocking Charlie Kirk on social media after the conservative commentator’s assassination last week, according to the nation’s top transportation official.
On Saturday, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said in a social media post, “This behavior is disgusting and they should be fired.” He did not name the pilot.
American Airlines, which is based in Fort Worth, released a statement Monday following a media inquiry from The Dallas Morning News regarding the comments: “American Airlines condemns violence of any kind. Hate-related or hostile behavior runs contrary to our purpose, which is to care for people on life’s journey. Employees who promote such violence on social media were immediately removed from service. We will continue to initiate action with team members who display this kind of behavior.”
American Airlines did not identify the pilot in the statement.
Kirk, 31, was fatally shot at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on Sept. 10. Utah native Tyler Robinson, 22, was arrested Friday as the suspect in the shooting.
Duffy’s Saturday post links to an earlier posting from commentator Milo Yiannopoulos showing alleged screenshots from a Facebook account, connecting those to a LinkedIn profile for an American Airlines pilot by the same name.
“Well, hey Charlie. Sorry you got shot in your fat f—ing forehead,” the screenshots show. “It was just the cost of our liberty. Thoughts and prayers.”
A Facebook search for the comments did not yield any results, although the post or the account may have been deleted or made private.
Delta Air Lines and United Airlines have suspended workers over social media posts following Kirk’s shooting, according to a CNN report. Duffy also slammed the comments on X.
“This behavior is disgusting and they should be fired,” Duffy posted on X. “Any company responsible for the safety of the traveling public cannot tolerate that behavior. We heal as a country when we send the message that glorifying political violence is COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE!”
Employees in other sectors could face similar consequences. The Texas Education Agency said Friday it is investigating teachers who posted or shared “reprehensible and inappropriate” content following Kirk’s death.
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