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Professor Fired for Racist Remarks; University Settlements Follow

2/22/2026

36 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

North Carolina professor Chris Schulte, a Democratic State House candidate, was fired after a recording showed him calling Charlie Kirk a "racist piece of s---".
He said he faced threats and expressed no remorse for his comments.
Austin Peay State University rehired Darren Michael and paid him a $500,000 settlement.
At the University of South Dakota, Michael Hook was fired but temporarily reinstated by a federal judge.

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Story summary

North Carolina professor Chris Schulte, a Democratic State House candidate, was fired after a recording showed him calling Charlie Kirk a "racist piece of s---".
He said he faced threats and expressed no remorse for his comments.
Austin Peay State University rehired Darren Michael and paid him a $500,000 settlement.
At the University of South Dakota, Michael Hook was fired but temporarily reinstated by a federal judge.