Man jailed over Charlie Kirk Facebook post wins $835,000 settlement

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Flowers and candles are seen at a makeshift memorial for murdered American conservative activist Charlie Kirk outside the U.S. embassy as its flag hangs at half-staff on September 14, 2025 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Adam Berry/Getty Images)

A man who lost his job and missed the birth of his granddaughter while jailed over a Charlie Kirk social media post will receive $835,000 to settle a lawsuit against the sheriff’s office.

Many people lost their jobs over social media comments following the murder of Kirk, a conservative political activist, but Larry Bushart of Perry County, Tennessee, is believed to be the only person who faced felony charges. 

Larry Bushart wins lawsuit

The backstory:

Bushart, 61, was arrested in September after he refused to take down Facebook memes that joked about Kirk’s killing. 

The meme Bushart posted that prompted his arrest read: "This seems relevant today..." and featured President Donald Trump and the words, "We have to get over it." That quote, the meme explained, was said by Trump in 2024 after a school shooting at Iowa’s Perry High School.

Bushart, a retired police officer, spent 37 days in jail before authorities dropped the felony charge against him in October. His bail was set at $2 million before he was released. He lost his post-retirement job and missed the birth of his granddaughter while he was behind bars. 

What they're saying:

"I am pleased my First Amendment rights have been vindicated," Bushart said in a statement. "The people’s freedom to participate in civil discourse is crucial to a healthy democracy. I am looking forward to moving on and spending time with my family."

The other side:

Perry County Sheriff Nick Weems told news outlets at the time that most of Bushart’s "hate memes" were lawful free speech, but residents were alarmed by the school shooting post because there’s also a local school called Perry County High School. Weems, however, said he knew the meme referred to a school in Iowa.

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"Investigators believe Bushart was fully aware of the fear his post would cause and intentionally sought to create hysteria within the community," Weems said in a statement to The Tennessean last year.

Perry County Mayor John Carroll wasn’t immediately available for comment. 

Dig deeper:

Free speech advocates say they hope the case "sends a message" to law enforcement. 

"It’s in times of turmoil and heightened tensions that our national commitment to free speech is tested the most," Cary Davis, an attorney for the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, said in a statement to The Associated Press. "When government officials fail that test, the Constitution exists to hold them accountable. Our hope is that Larry’s settlement sends a message to law enforcement across the country: Respect the First Amendment today, or be prepared to pay the price tomorrow."