In a recent settlement, Florida officials have agreed to pay $485,000 to a state-employed biologist who was terminated in 2025 after sharing a satirical social media post about the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. This information comes from the Associated Press.
Brittney Brown, who worked for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), lost her job in September 2025. The dismissal came after she reposted a humorous Instagram story from a whale-themed account, stating: "Whales are deeply saddened by the shooting of Charlie Kirk. Haha, just kidding..."
Brown had shared the post while off-duty and out of the state. However, the account "Libs of TikTok" on X highlighted her post, stirring public pressure on the FWC.
The agency cited "operational disruption" and "hundreds of complaints" as reasons for her dismissal, claims that the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida argued were either false or exaggerated during court proceedings.
Brown filed a lawsuit against FWC's Executive Director Roger Young and Division Director Melissa Tucker, alleging retaliation and viewpoint discrimination under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
The case, labeled Brown v. Young, was processed in the federal court for the Northern District of Florida.
During litigation, a court sanctioned an FWC official for false testimony and penalized the defense firm for vexatious litigation, which weakened the state's stance.
With the trial set for June 15, 2026, the parties reached a settlement before the court date.
Out of the $485,000 settlement, $275,000 goes directly to Brown, including $40,000 for lost wages and $235,000 in compensatory damages.
The remaining $210,000 covers legal fees and costs incurred by her representation.
As part of the settlement, the FWC has agreed to provide a neutral job reference for Brown in future employment checks and to allow her to engage with agency personnel and resources as an external collaborator.
Brown agreed not to seek future employment with the FWC as part of the agreement.
Kirk, who founded Turning Point USA, was shot dead at the age of 31 during an event at Utah Valley University in Orem on September 10, 2025. His death spurred close scrutiny of social media expressions that either celebrated or mocked the incident, making Brown's case a focal point in the discussion about free speech limits for public employees outside work hours.
Former President Donald Trump blamed the "radical left" for Kirk's death, while Utah Governor Spencer Cox denounced it as "political murder."
The ACLU of Florida announced the settlement on Friday with the headline: "Civil Rights Attorneys Secure $485,000 Settlement for FWC Biologist Fired Over Social Media Post About Charlie Kirk."
Frequently Asked Questions on Brittney Brown's Case
Why was Brittney Brown fired from her position at FWC?
Brittney Brown was fired for sharing a satirical post about Charlie Kirk's death, which led to public pressure on the FWC after the post was highlighted by the account "Libs of TikTok" on X.
What were the terms of the settlement?
The settlement awarded Brittney Brown $275,000, including $40,000 for lost wages and $235,000 in damages. An additional $210,000 covered legal fees. The FWC agreed to provide a neutral job reference and allow her to engage with the agency as an external collaborator, provided she doesn't seek future employment with them.
What impact did Charlie Kirk's death have on social media discourse?
Charlie Kirk's death heightened scrutiny over social media comments that either supported or mocked the incident, raising questions about the boundaries of free speech for public employees off-duty.