By Jordan King

Copyright newsweek

Texas State University said an individual “is no longer a student” after a video of him mocking Charlie Kirk’s killing on campus went viral on social media.A clip posted on X on Tuesday morning showed a man mimicking a bullet hitting his neck as he said “Charlie Kirk is dead b***h” before he climbed onto the base of a statue, said “my name is Charlie Kirk” and then fell over.University President Kelly Damphousse announced on Tuesday afternoon that the “university has identified the student in a disturbing video from Monday’s event” and “the individual is no longer a student at TXST.”Texas State University confirmed to Newsweek that the individual Damphousse was referring to was the same student in the viral video.However, he has not been named because “federal law prevents the university from commenting further on individual student conduct matters.”Why It MattersIt comes amid a broader national conversation over free speech, political polarization, and what constitutes acceptable public discourse, especially in educational institutions.Since Kirk was shot dead while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, last Wednesday, there have been multiple cases where individuals including students, teachers and professors have been fired, suspended or expelled for what they have said about it.What To KnowDamphousse announced that the student was no longer enrolled at the university at 5:12 p.m. local time, saying she would “not tolerate behavior that mocks, trivializes, or promotes violence on our campuses.”It came just minutes after Texas Governor Greg Abbott reposted the viral video on Tuesday with the message: “Hey Texas State. This conduct is not accepted at our schools. Expel this student immediately. Mocking assassination must have consequences.”Abbott later shared his previous post and said: “That student is now expelled.”Texas State University would not confirm to Newsweek whether the student was expelled or left voluntarily, saying: “It would be most accurate to report that the individual is no longer enrolled at TXST.””Any student who violates their school’s code of conduct by condoning or inciting political violence must face swift disciplinary action,” Abbott’s office told Newsweek. “Advocating for the assassination of political opponents is deplorable and fundamentally contrary to Texan values.”Damphousse said that “the video understandably evoked strong emotions here and across the country.”Damphousse went on to speak out against “some people are suggesting that the individual’s actions represent the beliefs of TXST students in general,” saying that “these kinds of insinuations are unfair to our student body, and they cause some of our students to feel unsafe.”He also called for “calm, measured response and dialogue,” asking people to “consider the impact that our words and actions can have on those around us.”It comes after a Reuters report on Saturday said that at least 15 people have been fired or suspended from their jobs due to their posts about Kirk amid a wave of conservative outrage to the response from some Kirk critics.Steve Bannon wrote in a statement to Newsweek, “Fire Them All, and Fire Them Now.” Matt Wallace, an influencer with more than two million followers on X, wrote on the social media platform last week that his team has managed to get dozens of people fired over their reactions.A website called the Charlie Kirk Data Foundation asks people to submit names of people who have celebrated the shooting.This has all ignited a debate about cancel culture, with journalist Don Lemon accusing the right of “hypocrisy” during a recent episode of The Don Lemon Show.”We live in an America of cancel culture, and it is the cancel culture on the right now that is leading the charge,” he said. “The hypocrisy on the right about free speech, it’s off the charts. Think about it—if you actually believe in what Charlie Kirk said he believed in—didn’t quite practice all the time—is free speech, then why are you out to cancel people who are using their First Amendment right to free speech to tell you how they feel about Charlie Kirk by using his own words?”What People Are SayingAbbott’s press secretary Andrew Mahaleris told Newsweek: “The Governor and First Lady continue to mourn the horrific assassination of Charlie Kirk and pray for his wife, two young children, and loved ones during this tragic time. We thank every Texan and American who stands together to honor Charlie’s life and legacy.”Texas State University President Kelly Damphousse said: “This is a time for calm, for measured response and dialogue, and for keeping ourselves and each other safe. As always, the safety of our campus community is at the heart of every decision that I make. We must not allow this situation to get the best of us. We can disagree on issues, but we cannot allow ourselves to be pulled into a situation where we are adding to the anxiety on our campus. That is not who we are, and that is not who we will become.”He added: “I am asking that each of us consider the impact that our words and actions can have on those around us. From my first moment as the TXST president, I have espoused the ideal that we (all of us) belong here. I have never wavered in that expectation (or in that hope). While I cannot control what others say or do, I can control how I respond to them. I ask that we all seek ways to lift our campus up to its noblest aspirations in the days and weeks to come.”Rogan O’Handley, a conservative commentator, wrote to X: “It’s not ‘cancel culture’ for people to be fired after celebrating the gruesome murder of an unarmed, innocent man. It’s enforcing a basic standard of morality and human decency. Murdering innocent people is wrong. If you don’t agree with that, you will be reap the consequences from the 90% of Americans who do.”What Happens NextThe case will likely continue to fuel debates over the boundaries of free expression on campus, the responsibilities of universities, and where the lines are between protected speech and sanction‑worthy misconduct.