Key Points:
- Delta, American, and United suspend staff over online posts. The companies say the posts broke firm rules and values.
- Delta’s boss says some posts went “well beyond” fair debate. The airline also posted a firm note on X.
- United reminds staff about rules as checks go on. Reports say some workers also face leave today.
Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and United Airlines have taken action. Each airline says it suspended workers over posts about Charlie Kirk’s killing. The firms say the posts broke staff rules and firm values. They add that checks on the staff will go on.
Delta’s chief, Ed Bastian, wrote to staff on Friday. He said some online posts tied to the murder “went well beyond healthy, respectful debate.” He told staff that the airline had placed people on leave while it checks. Delta also posted on X: “Hate has no place at Delta Air Lines.”
How American and United respond
American Airlines says it removed workers from duty as well. It says the posts broke its rules on hate and harm. The firm says it does not allow calls for harm or praise for harm. It adds that more checks will still take place.
United says it took action and warned staff again on its rules. The airline says any post that cheers on harm breaks policy. It says teams must keep to a zero-tolerance code here.
Meanwhile, Delta’s public note drew wide views on X. “We expect our employees’ behaviour to align with our corporate values,” the note read. The post said the team is “actively investigating this situation.” The post came from the handle Delta (@Delta).
What led to the swift moves
Police say a gunman shot Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University. Officers later held a 22-year-old suspect after key tips. That break raised grief and rage on many feeds at once. Some users posted harsh words or dark cheers under the news.
ValidUpdates has tracked the case since the first big break. See our report on the shooter arrest rocking Utah campus security. We also covered when the suspect confessed and the father alerted police.
Wider fallout across jobs
Other firms and groups also moved fast this week. Reports say schools, teams, and state offices punished some staff. Many faced leave or lost jobs over hard posts on the case. The trend shows how online words can hit real-world work fast.
Delta, American, and United say they back free speech with care. But they add that calls for harm break the line at once. They say staff must keep talk fair, calm, and safe for all. More checks will decide what happens next for each worker
