A UC Irvine and Chapman University lecturer is receiving criticism for a comment he made on social media that referenced Charlie Kirk’s assassination in relation to another conservative commentator’s upcoming appearance at a college campus.
Read more For LA first responders sent to 9/11, it’s all about ‘never forget’
Matthew Goldman, who was listed in Chapman University’s faculty directory as a lecturer in the university’s Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, as well as a composition lecturer on UCI’s faculty directory, commented on an Instagram post made by the Harvard Republican Club which promoted a speaker event they were set to hold on Wednesday, Sept. 9.
The club said the event would feature Nick Shirley, a conservative social media influencer who went viral in December for videos he made alleging widespread fraud in Minnesota child care centers.
Under the post, Goldman commented: “Someone can do the funniest thing just before the Kirkiversary,” alluding to the death of Kirk, the co-founder of the conservative student organization Turning Point USA, who was shot and killed during an event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025. Thursday marks one year since his death.
Goldman did not respond to requests for comment sent to his UCI and Chapman University email addresses.
On Tuesday, Shirley said in a post on X that he will need to raise money for security. He asked supporters to donate because comments he receives, like that of Goldman’s, are “insinuating it would be funny to assassinate me and (leftists) are threatening to kill me constantly,” Shirley said
“I will not cower to the radicals or the far left who threaten and plot to kill and destroy our country,” Shirley said.
UCI spokesperson Tom Vasich said in a statement Wednesday that Goldman’s comment is “inconsistent with the university’s Principles of Community and our commitment to fostering a community grounded in respect, inclusion and the free exchange of ideas.”
UCI’s Principles of Community say the university strives to foster an inclusive, respectful environment on campus through “tolerance, civility and mutual respect” for diversity of background, gender, ethnicity, race and religion, “political beliefs, sexual orientation and physical abilities.”
“Hateful rhetoric and statements that advocate violence against anyone are fundamentally at odds with the values we uphold as a university,” Vasich said. “As a public university, UC Irvine is committed to freedom of speech and expression, including speech that may be objectionable or offensive.”
Read more A pilot of the Amazon cargo plane that careened off Miami runway warned it was coming in too fast
“While such speech may be constitutionally protected, it is not a contradiction of our commitment to free expression for the university to condemn rhetoric that conflicts with our values,” Vasich said.
When asked about whether Goldman remained employed at UCI, Vasich said: “His employment status is a personnel matter on which we cannot provide comment. I can say that he’s listed on the campus directory.”
Bob Hitchcock, a spokesperson for Chapman University, said Goldman “is not currently on campus or teaching at Chapman.”
“Chapman University is aware of the concerning reports regarding Matt Goldman and takes this issue very seriously,” Hitchcock said in a statement. “In keeping with standard employment practices, we cannot provide any further information.”
Hitchcock did not respond to a follow-up question about Goldman’s employment status with the university.
Following Kirk’s death last year, a slew of firings or suspensions of people in various professions occurred because of social media comments they made about Kirk’s assassination, igniting a debate over First Amendment rights. At the time, the Trump administration called for a crackdown against what it called “political extremism,” which was met with criticism from free speech advocates who said such actions would be an excuse to stifle acts of political expression.
The Turning Point USA chapter at Chapman University is set to hold a candlelight vigil on campus Thursday night, marking one year since Kirk was killed.
Shirley, meanwhile, is suing California over a recently passed law meant to extend privacy protections for those who provide services to immigrants. Republicans have criticized the law, alleging it will stifle the work of certain investigative journalists, like Shirley.
Read more Dana Point issues emergency declaration as more houses are impacted by monster waves