Florida Pays $485,000 To Settle Firing Over Charlie Kirk Instagram Meme
The ACLU announced a $485,000 settlement on Thursday with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission resolving a suit by former employee Brittney Brown over her firing.[1]
Brown was fired the morning after Libs of TikTok shared a private Instagram story meme about conservative commentator Charlie Kirk alongside her LinkedIn profile.[1] The agency issued a weekend statement saying it did not tolerate Brown's "hateful sentiment" and that it was working toward a swift resolution on her employment.[1] Brown's lawsuit alleged a First Amendment violation, saying she spoke as a private citizen about Kirk's September 10, 2025, shooting and his prior remarks on school shootings.[1]
The settlement announced Thursday comes one day after news of an $835,000 (reported up to $850,000) Tennessee settlement for Larry Bushart, who was jailed over a different Charlie Kirk-related social media post.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- On Thursday, May 21, 2026, the ACLU announced a $485,000 settlement for Brittney Brown with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
- Brown was fired the morning after Libs of TikTok shared her private Instagram story meme about Charlie Kirk alongside her LinkedIn profile.
- The agency issued a weekend statement saying it did not tolerate Brown’s “hateful sentiment” and was working toward a “swift and immediate resolution” on her employment.
- Brown’s lawsuit alleged a First Amendment violation, claiming she spoke as a private citizen about Kirk’s September 10, 2025 shooting and his prior remarks on school shootings.
- The settlement comes one day after news of an $835,000 (reported up to $850,000) Tennessee settlement for Larry Bushart, who was jailed over a different Charlie Kirk-related social media post.
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