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An Illinois television anchor who had previously worked for and was mentored by conservative political activist Charlie Kirk announced her resignation after she was suspended for an on-air tribute after his assassination.
Beni Rae Harmony, who had previously worked as a producer and administrator for Turning Point USA, announced her departure from WICS-ABC20 in Springfield after being suspended for a 1-minute and 17-second tribute to Kirk during a live newscast on Friday (September 12).
"Effective immediately, I have resigned from @WICS_ABC20 after being SUSPENDED for airing a non-partisan tribute to Charlie Kirk this past Friday," Harmony wrote on her X account in a post that also included a clip of her tribute to Kirk. "Many in the mainstream media have been fired or punished for mocking his assassination. I believe I am the first to be targeted for honoring him on air. My resignation is guided by values that are essential to who I am, which I refuse to set aside in order to keep a job. I choose my faith and love of country, and always will. Thank you, Springfield. My home. My community. My people. God Bless Charlie Kirk and his beautiful family, and God Bless these United States of America."
Harmony said that Kirk was her first boss and served as a mentor early in her media career during her tribute to the late political pundit.
“I want to share with you one of my favorite sayings that Charlie would always tell us at the office. He would yell it from the mountaintops, so please listen: ‘When conversations stop happening. When individuals become wordless, that’s when violence begins. So, if you do one thing today, make it be with passion, with conviction, stand up for your friends, stand up for your beliefs, and speak loudly, even if your voice shakes. Your words have meaning, your values have purpose. Never forget that,'” Harmony said during her on-air tribute.
“Thank you, CK, you changed my life,” she concluded.
Harmony had worked as a producer and administrator for Turning Point USA, a conservative youth organization, from August 2021 to February 2022, according to her LinkedIn account. Kirk, 31, was fatally shot in the neck during what was scheduled to be the first stop on his 'American Comeback Tour' last Wednesday (September 10).
The suspected shooter, Tyler Robinson, was announced to have been in custody and publicly identified by police last Friday (September 12). Kirk founded Turning Point USA at the age of 18 along with tea party activist William Montgomery in 2012. The political pundit gained notoriety debating liberal students, winning over conservative financiers.
Kirk enthusiastically supported President Trump during his 2016 presidential campaign and served as a personal aide to his son, Donald Trump Jr., during the campaign, while also gaining a regular presence on cable news.