A conservative activist’s assassination has sparked a firestorm, costing a Phoenix sports reporter his job.
Breitbart reported that Gerald Bourguet, lead Phoenix Suns writer for PHNX Sports, was sacked after celebrating the death of Charlie Kirk on social media. Kirk, a prominent conservative figure, was fatally shot at a Utah college rally.
The Arizona-based outlet moved swiftly to distance itself from Bourguet’s controversial posts. On Wednesday, a sniper’s bullet struck Kirk in the neck during an outdoor event, killing him instantly.
The tragedy shook the conservative community, already polarized in a tense political climate. Bourguet, however, saw it as an opportunity to air his grievances.
Bourguet took to X with a series of inflammatory messages, reveling in Kirk’s death. He described himself as PHNX Sports’ lead Suns reporter, tying his personal views to his professional role. His posts quickly drew widespread condemnation from readers and conservative voices alike.
“Truly don’t care if you think it’s insensitive,” Bourguet wrote, dismissing critics of his stance. His defiance ignored the gravity of celebrating a public figure’s murder. Such rhetoric, bold as it was, lit a fuse under his career.
The backlash was swift and unrelenting, with X users decrying Bourguet’s lack of decorum. Many argued that his comments crossed a line, even in the rough-and-tumble world of online discourse. PHNX Sports faced mounting pressure to act.
On Thursday, PHNX Sports announced it had “parted ways” with Bourguet. The outlet’s X post was curt, offering no elaboration on the decision. It was a clear signal: Bourguet’s views didn’t align with their brand.
Bourguet’s second post doubled down, accusing critics of prioritizing politeness over principle. “Too many of you are more concerned with being polite,” he sneered, framing his stance as moral courage. Yet, his words rang hollow against the backdrop of a man’s violent death.
The firing underscores a broader cultural divide, where social media amplifies reckless takes. Bourguet’s posts weren’t just tasteless—they were a liability for an outlet covering sports, not politics. PHNX Sports chose to cut ties rather than weather the storm.
Kirk’s assassination, a grim moment for public discourse, deserved better than Bourguet’s glee. His claim that Kirk was an “evil man” fueled the controversy, painting a target on his own back. The progressive urge to cheer ideological foes’ demise reveals a troubling coarseness.
PHNX Sports’ decision reflects the tightrope businesses walk in a hyper-connected age. A single employee’s rant can tank a brand’s reputation overnight. Bourguet learned this the hard way; his career is now a cautionary tale.
Bourguet’s defenders might argue he was exercising free speech, but workplaces aren’t obligated to indulge it. His posts, tied to his role at PHNX, dragged the outlet into a mess it didn’t sign up for. The firing was less about censorship than self-preservation.
The episode highlights the perils of mixing professional roles with personal crusades. Bourguet’s job was to cover basketball, not to play morality police on X. His inability to separate the two cost him dearly.
Conservatives mourning Kirk see Bourguet’s posts as emblematic of a broader hostility. Yet, even they must acknowledge the need for civility in tragedy’s wake. The outrage cycle thrives when both sides abandon restraint.
PHNX Sports’ silence on the firing’s specifics leaves room for speculation, but the message is clear: actions have consequences. Bourguet’s fall serves as a reminder that words, especially online, carry weight. In a divided world, a moment’s pause before posting might save more than a job.