Beni Rae Harmony, an Illinois television anchor, has resigned from ABC20 Springfield after being suspended for delivering an emotional on-air tribute to her late boss and mentor Charlie Kirk.

On Friday, Harmony broke down in tears as she told viewers about her connection to Kirk. He was fatally shot at Utah Valley University on September 10.

“He was my first boss and my mentor, the first person who made me believe in myself and encouraged me to chase my TV dreams,” Harmony said. She recalled working as a producer and administrator for Turning Point USA between August 2021 and February 2022.

She urged the audience to allow themselves to grieve, adding: “It’s okay if you feel sadness… if you’re grieving.”

Quoting words she said Kirk often repeated, Harmony told viewers: “When conversation stops happening, when individuals become wordless, that’s when violence begins.”

She ended her broadcast tribute with a heartfelt message: “Thank you, CK, you changed my life.”

Suspension and Resignation

Shortly afterward, Harmony said she was suspended by ABC20 management for airing what was described as a “non-partisan tribute.” On Monday, she announced her resignation on social media.

“Effective immediately, I have resigned from WICS-ABC20 after being SUSPENDED for airing a non-partisan tribute to Charlie Kirk this past Friday,” she wrote on X.

She added that her choice came down to her values: “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.”

“God Bless Charlie Kirk and his beautiful family, and God Bless these United States of America.”

The Broader Fallout

Harmony is believed to be the first American journalist punished for praising Kirk publicly. Her resignation comes amid a wave of high-profile firings, suspensions, and resignations tied to commentary about Kirk’s assassination.

• A New Jersey surgeon resigned after allegedly telling a nurse Kirk “had it coming.”
• MSNBC pundit Matthew Down was fired after speculating the gunshot may have come from one of Kirk’s own supporters.
• Washington Post columnist Karen Attiah announced her termination after controversial social media posts about “white men” in the wake of Kirk’s death.

Celebrities have also faced backlash. The Office actor Rainn Wilson and model Josie Canseco both came under fire from fans for posting tributes to Kirk.

Remembering Kirk

Kirk, 31, co-founder of Turning Point USA, was killed by a single gunshot wound to the neck during a debate event on campus. The alleged shooter, Tyler Robinson, 22, was arrested two days later after his father turned him in. Prosecutors are expected to pursue capital murder charges.

For Harmony, however, the story remains deeply personal. “There’s a lot going on in our country right now,” she said in her on-air tribute. “But 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.”