American Airlines pilots grounded after ‘disgusting’ posts about Charlie Kirk
Pilots for American Airlines have been “grounded and removed from service” over social media posts about the murder of Charlie Kirk last week, according to U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
Duffy wrote on X over the weekend that the pilots “were caught celebrating the assassination of Charlie Kirk.”
“This behavior is disgusting and they should be fired. Any company responsible for the safety of the traveling public cannot tolerate that behavior,” Duffy posted.
The response from the Department of Transportation secretary came after conservative social media accounts shared screenshots purporting to be a pilot making a vulgar comment about Kirk being shot. American Airlines responded to the post with a statement saying the Fort Worth-based airline “condemns violence of any kind.”
“Furthermore, hate-related or hostile behavior runs contrary to our purpose, which is to care for people on life’s journey. Any such behavior is unacceptable, and we have already initiated action to address this with our team,” the airline posted.
But American isn’t the only U.S. airline dealing with employees making inappropriate comments after Kirk was shot and killed during an event at a college campus in Utah. Delta Airlines and United Airlines have also suspended employees who “praised” the killing, Duffy said Monday.
“It is the right of every American to feel safe and free of political hate in our airspace,” he posted, adding that the Department of Transportation “applauds you for taking the first step in sending the right message. The next step should be to fire them.”
Thousands of North Texans have mourned Kirk’s death, including at a vigil Sunday in Fort Worth, and during a moment of silence at Sunday’s Dallas Cowboys game.
Some who disliked the conservative activist have posted comments on social media that have jeopardized their jobs, including public school teachers in Texas.
This story was originally published September 15, 2025 at 4:26 PM.
