The University of California, Los Angeles has become the latest institution caught in the storm surrounding reactions to the shocking assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
This time, the controversy centers on Johnathan Perkins, UCLA’s director of race and equity, who has been suspended following posts in which he appeared to celebrate Kirk’s death.
Posts That Sparked the Suspension
Perkins allegedly took to the social media platform BlueSky just days after Kirk’s killing.
The posts, which have since been deleted, described the commentator’s death as “good riddance” and insisted people should not be forced to mourn someone who “hated us.”
One message read: “It is OKAY to be happy when someone who hated you and called for your people’s death dies—even if they are murdered.”
Although the account has now disappeared, Perkins admitted to the Los Angeles Times that the words were his own, clarifying that they were written “in my own hand, in my own voice” and not reflective of UCLA as an institution.
Perkins Pushes Back at UCLA
Despite acknowledging authorship, Perkins criticized the university’s swift action.
He expressed disappointment, saying his “livelihood could ultimately be threatened” for what he views as exercising his First Amendment rights.
“It’s a truly sad day,” he told the Times, adding that he felt no grief over the loss of someone who “dedicated his life to despising mine, despising my people, despising our very existence.”
He also voiced support for other academics around the country who, he claimed, have faced even harsher consequences for similar commentary.
UCLA’s Firm Response
In a statement, UCLA reiterated its commitment to free expression but drew a firm line against celebrating violence.
The university said that while freedom of speech is a core value, “violence or the celebration of violence is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”
An investigation into Perkins’ posts is now underway.
Fallout and Personal Repercussions
Perkins has since shut down most of his social media accounts, reportedly keeping only Instagram active.
He also claimed in a now-deleted LinkedIn post that he had been doxed and was receiving death threats after his remarks about Kirk.
His suspension has cast doubt on the future of his career at UCLA, where he has worked since 2019 with an annual salary of more than $125,000. He also co-hosts the podcast Black& with his sister.
A History of Controversy
This isn’t the first time Perkins has stirred headlines. Over the years, he has repeatedly faced criticism for incendiary remarks:
-
In 2024, he spread false claims about Princess Kate’s cancer diagnosis, suggesting without evidence that it was fabricated.
-
In 2022, he tweeted that people secretly hoped Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas would die while hospitalized. UCLA later clarified that his comments did not reflect the institution’s views, but Perkins never publicly apologized.
Even earlier, while studying law at the University of Virginia in 2011, Perkins claimed he was racially profiled by campus police—only to later retract the statement, saying the incident had never happened.
Years later, he reversed himself again, insisting the incident was real but that he had been pressured by the FBI to deny it.
A Career Now Hanging in the Balance
Perkins’ suspension has once again put him in the spotlight, this time under far more serious circumstances.
What began as a series of social media posts could now jeopardize his position at UCLA and his wider reputation in academia.
As the investigation continues, the debate rages on between freedom of expression and the boundaries of acceptable public commentary—especially when it involves celebrating the violent death of a polarizing public figure.