{"id":460051,"date":"2026-09-11T02:36:31","date_gmt":"2026-09-11T02:36:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/460051\/"},"modified":"2026-09-11T02:36:31","modified_gmt":"2026-09-11T02:36:31","slug":"chapman-uc-irvine-lecturer-references-charlie-kirks-assassination-on-a-post-promoting-a-nick-shirley-event-orange-county-register","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/460051\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapman, UC Irvine lecturer references Charlie Kirk\u2019s assassination on a post promoting a Nick Shirley event \u2013 Orange County Register"},"content":{"rendered":"

A UC Irvine<\/a> and Chapman University<\/a> lecturer is receiving criticism for a comment he made on social media that referenced Charlie Kirk\u2019s assassination<\/a> in relation to another conservative commentator\u2019s upcoming appearance at a college campus.<\/p>\n

Matthew Goldman, who was listed in Chapman University\u2019s faculty directory<\/a> as a lecturer in the university\u2019s Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, as well as a composition lecturer on UCI\u2019s faculty directory<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Under the post, Goldman commented: \u201cSomeone can do the funniest thing just before the Kirkiversary,\u201d 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<\/a> on Sept. 10, 2025. Thursday marks one year since his death.<\/p>\n

Goldman did not respond to requests for comment sent to his UCI and Chapman University email addresses.<\/p>\n

On Tuesday, Shirley said in a post on X<\/a> that he will need to raise money for security. He asked supporters to donate because comments he receives, like that of Goldman\u2019s, are \u201cinsinuating it would be funny to assassinate me and (leftists) are threatening to kill me constantly,\u201d Shirley said<\/p>\n

\u201cI will not cower to the radicals or the far left who threaten and plot to kill and destroy our country,\u201d Shirley said.<\/p>\n

UCI spokesperson Tom Vasich said in a statement Wednesday that Goldman\u2019s comment is \u201cinconsistent with the university\u2019s Principles of Community and our commitment to fostering a community grounded in respect, inclusion and the free exchange of ideas.\u201d<\/p>\n

UCI\u2019s Principles of Community say<\/a>\u00a0the university strives to foster an inclusive, respectful environment on campus through \u201ctolerance, civility and mutual respect\u201d for diversity of background, gender, ethnicity, race and religion, \u201cpolitical beliefs, sexual orientation and physical abilities.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHateful rhetoric and statements that advocate violence against anyone are fundamentally at odds with the values we uphold as a university,\u201d Vasich said. \u201cAs a public university, UC Irvine is committed to freedom of speech and expression, including speech that may be objectionable or offensive.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile 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,\u201d Vasich said.<\/p>\n

When asked about whether Goldman remained employed at UCI, Vasich said: \u201cHis employment status is a personnel matter on which we cannot provide comment. I can say that he\u2019s listed on the campus directory.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bob Hitchcock, a spokesperson for Chapman University, said Goldman \u201cis not currently on campus or teaching at Chapman.\u201d<\/p>\n

By Thursday afternoon, Goldman was no longer listed on Chapman\u2019s faculty website.<\/p>\n

\u201cChapman University is aware of the concerning reports regarding Matt Goldman and takes this issue very seriously,\u201d Hitchcock said in a statement. \u201cIn keeping with standard employment practices, we cannot provide any further information.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hitchcock did not respond to a follow-up question about Goldman\u2019s employment status with the university.<\/p>\n

Following Kirk\u2019s death last year, a slew of firings or suspensions of people in various professions<\/a> occurred because of social media comments they made about Kirk\u2019s assassination, igniting a debate over First Amendment rights. At the time, the Trump administration called for a crackdown against what it called \u201cpolitical extremism,\u201d which was met with criticism from free speech advocates who said such actions would be an excuse to stifle acts of political expression.<\/p>\n

The Turning Point USA chapter at Chapman University is set to hold a candlelight vigil on campus<\/a> Thursday night, marking one year since Kirk was killed.<\/p>\n

Shirley, meanwhile, is suing California over a recently passed law<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

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