Kansas professor put on leave for labeling White men ‘dangerous animals’ after Charlie Kirk’s death

Fort Hays professor Nuchelle Chance said her remarks were misinterpreted, calling the backlash a 'manufactured outrage campaign'
PUBLISHED OCT 5, 2025
Nuchelle Chance said she was placed on administrative leave after her social media posts about Charlie Kirk’s assassination sparked backlash (Getty Images, Fort Hays State University)
Nuchelle Chance said she was placed on administrative leave after her social media posts about Charlie Kirk’s assassination sparked backlash (Getty Images, Fort Hays State University)

HAYS, KANSAS: A psychology professor at Fort Hays State University said she has been placed on administrative leave after her social media posts reacting to conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s shooting drew widespread backlash online.

Nuchelle Chance, an assistant professor, came under fire after Facebook posts she shared shortly after Kirk’s fatal shooting at a Utah university were amplified by the account Libs of TikTok.

Chance said her remarks were misinterpreted and part of what she described as a "manufactured outrage campaign rooted in misogynoir."



 

Professor defends remarks after backlash over Charlie Kirk posts

On September 10, the day Kirk was shot dead on campus, Chance posted on Facebook, “Me thinks the word ‘karma’ is appropriate. Sad day all around,” linking to a partial quote from Kirk about the Second Amendment.

Two days later, after police identified Tyler Robinson as the suspected shooter, she wrote, “But when we tell y’all that statistically… White American men are the most dangerous animals on the planet we’re wrong. Let’s not be hasty they say…”

Nuchelle Chance (pictured), a Fort Hays State professor, faced backlash over posts on Charlie Kirk’s death (Screengrab / Fort Hays State University)
Nuchelle Chance, a Fort Hays State professor, faced backlash over posts on Charlie Kirk’s death (Screengrab/Fort Hays State University)

The posts spread quickly after being highlighted on social media, prompting outrage from conservative groups. In a TikTok video, Chance said she was being “targeted” by “MAGA” users and argued her “karma” comment was mischaracterized as celebrating Kirk’s death. “That would be immoral,” she said, adding that her post about white men referenced statistics about perpetrators of mass violence.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Chance said her comments were “misinterpreted — intentionally and deliberately,” calling the reaction a coordinated campaign of “manufactured outrage.” She said her use of the word “animal” came from behavioral science terminology and wasn’t meant to degrade anyone.

Charlie Kirk throws a
Charlie Kirk throws a 'Make America Great Again' hat to the crowd at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025 in Orem, Utah (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images)

Chance rejected claims that her personal social media activity compromised her role as an educator. “I have never discussed my political views in the classroom. That would be inappropriate and unprofessional, and, frankly, asinine. My role as an educator is to foster critical thinking, not to impose personal belief,” she said, noting her teaching evaluations show fairness across demographics.

She added, “My scholarship and teaching reflect a commitment to justice and inclusion. I welcome diverse perspectives in my classroom and remain committed to creating a space where every student feels seen, heard and respected.”

Fort Hays State University reviews social media controversy

A Fort Hays State University spokesperson confirmed a faculty member’s social media posts were under review after comments about Kirk circulated online. “Individuals who post commentaries to their personal social media accounts do not speak for the university,” the school said in a statement, emphasizing its dedication to “free, open and respectful dialogue.”

(Facebook / Fort Hays State University)
Fort Hays State University reviewed the social media controversy (Facebook/Fort Hays State University)

The university said the matter was being handled as a “confidential personnel issue” and asked for patience “as we address it with the seriousness it warrants.” It did not confirm whether any disciplinary action had been taken, but Chance’s faculty page has since been removed from the university website.

Chance confirmed in an auto-reply from her school email that she is “currently on a two-week administrative leave from Fort Hays State University and will not be checking [her] university email regularly during this time.”

OREM, UTAH - SEPTEMBER 10: Charlie Kirk appears at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025 in Orem, Utah. Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was speaking at his
Charlie Kirk appears at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025 in Orem, Utah. Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was speaking at his 'American Comeback Tour' when he was shot in the neck and killed (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images)

This comes amid a broader wave of disciplinary actions against educators for online remarks about Charlie Kirk’s death. In South Dakota, a federal judge temporarily reinstated professor Michael Hook after the University of South Dakota moved to fire him for calling Kirk a “hate-spreading Nazi.”

Meanwhile, an Iowa teacher, Matthew Kargol, is suing his district after being terminated for writing “1 Nazi down.”

Both men argued their remarks are protected under free speech, as legal challenges continue to test how far schools can go in disciplining employees for controversial social media comments following Kirk’s murder.

MORE STORIES

Jake Tapper questioned Senator Chris Murphy as Democrats blocked a funding bill, risking food aid amid their Obamacare standoff
49 minutes ago
As New Yorkers gear up to choose their next mayor on November 4, Elon Musk couldn’t resist chiming in with a sarcastic remark
1 hour ago
Kathy Hochul was shouted down by 'Tax the rich!' hecklers at Zohran Mamdani’s Queens rally, forcing him to calm the crowd
1 hour ago
President Donald Trump dismissed speculation he could return to office through a vice presidential role, saying voters would reject such a plan
1 hour ago
Abigail Spanberger’s campaign staffer was caught on hidden camera mocking late conservative leader Charlie Kirk, sparking backlash in Virginia
2 hours ago
Ocasio-Cortez fired up the crowd at Mamdani rally using loud, emotional speech and multiple accents
2 hours ago
'Anything that is temporary with government is permanent,' warned Arnold Schwarzenegger, referring to Gavin Newsom’s redistricting effort
2 hours ago
The elementary school teacher reportedly broke both state law and Alachua County School District policy by allegedly asking students to call her 'Mx'
3 hours ago
Martha Raddatz pressed about the shutdown, but Scott Bessent said Americans are hostage to Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries’ poll numbers
4 hours ago
Karine Jean-Pierre faced tough questioning on MSNBC about Biden’s cognitive abilities and her critique of Special Counsel Robert Hur’s report
4 hours ago