By Martha McHardy

Copyright newsweek

A former Fox News producer who helped to organize the nation’s 250th birthday celebrations has been fired over an Instagram post about conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, media reports say.

Ariel Abergel, 25, was removed from his position by the bipartisan Semiquincentennial Commission, which oversees planning for the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence next year.

America250 said Abergel was fired from his position as executive director, among other reasons for a “security breach” of a social media account. He says he was dismissed for posting a tribute to Kirk, who was shot dead nearly two weeks ago.

Newsweek has contacted America250, the White House and Fox News for comment. Newsweek was not able to reach Abergel for comment.

Why It Matters

Abergel is one of dozens of people who have been fired from their jobs over their remarks about Kirk, although most have been critical of the right-wing activist.

From MSNBC to universities and private companies, many employees have lost jobs or been suspended for social media posts or public comments related to Kirk’s death. For example, MSNBC fired analyst Matthew Dowd for remarks about Kirk’s rhetoric; universities have terminated faculty, staff, and students; and major corporations like Nasdaq and Perkins Coie have also taken action.

The firing underscores how fraught the political environment has become, following a string of high-profile attacks, including the attempt on Donald Trump‘s life in 2024 and the killing of a Democratic lawmaker in Minnesota this year.

Charlie Kirk speaks at the 2019 Turning Point USA Student Action Summit — Day 1 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center on December 19, 2019 in West Palm Beach, Florida. Credit: AP/MediaPunch

What To Know

Abergel was fired after he “initiated a security breach of a commission social-media account, attempted to procure the resignations of multiple commissioners by misrepresenting himself as acting on behalf of congressional leadership, and engaged in multiple other serious and repeated breaches of authority and trust,” a spokesperson for America250 told The Wall Street Journal.

He is also accused of having “defied directives from the commission’s executive committee” and of engaging in “unauthorized actions related to commission-approved programming, finances, and communications, jeopardizing the commission’s operations and reputation.”

Abergel rejected the commission’s explanation for his firing, calling it “malicious lies” meant to “distract from the truth.”

He said he was dismissed after posting a tribute to Charlie Kirk on America250’s official Instagram account without approval. The post, which featured a photo of the 31-year-old commentator, read: “America is in mourning. God bless Charlie Kirk.”

Abergel told The Wall Street Journal he had first urged the commission to issue a statement about Kirk’s death, but when no action was taken, he acted on his own. He was initially suspended over the unauthorized post, then asked to resign, and ultimately fired.

Who Is Ariel Abergel?

Abergel, who graduated from Bergen Community College in 2021, has advanced rapidly in his career. He had a brief stint working in the White House during Trump’s first term as an intern speechwriter and staff assistant in the White House Management Office, before moving on to working at Fox News, according to his LinkedIn. He was appointed to the role of executive director at America250 in May by Trump.

He also oversaw the military parade through the streets of Washington, D.C., last June to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, an event that coincidentally fell on Trump’s 79th birthday.

Some commission members have accused Abergel of steering America250 away from its intended role as a national commemoration and instead reshaping it to serve Trump, pointing to the parade as an example.

What People Are Saying

“It is unfortunate that what was meant to unite the country and honor its history has been twisted into yet another scheme for his own personal gain,“ New Jersey Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman, a Democratic member of the commission, told The Daily Beast ahead of the parade, referring to President Trump.

White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly told the Journal that the administration “is incredibly proud of all of Ari Abergel’s work at America250—most notably during the Army250 parade, which boldly honored the bravery and strength of our military men and women.”

What Happens Next

It is unclear if Abergel will appeal the decision.