TV anchor Beni Rae Harmony resigns after tearful on-air tribute to Charlie Kirk saw her suspending from her job
An Illinois TV anchor quit after being suspended from her job for making a tear-stained on-air tribute to her friend Charlie Kirk.
Beni Rae Harmony announced her resignation from ABC20 Springfield on Monday on social media, claiming she decided to quit after being punished for honoring Kirk.
‘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 X alongside a clip of the tribute in question.
‘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.’
During her tribute to Kirk, Harmony spoke through tears as she revealed that the conservative commentator was her ‘first boss’ and ‘mentor.’
According to her LinkedIn, Harmony was a producer and administrator for Kirk’s organization, Turning Point USA, from August 2021 until February 2022.
Beni Rae Harmony said she resigned from her job at ABC20 Springfield after she was suspended for paying tribute to Charlie Kirk live on-air following his assassination last week
Harmony was a producer and administrator for Kirk’s organization, Turning Point USA, from August 2021 until February 2022. Kirk is seen in July, 2023
Harmony said Kirk was her first boss and the person ‘who first made her believe in herself’
She told the audience it was ‘okay if you feel sadness… if you’re grieving.’
Harmony went on to say Kirk was ‘the first person who made her believe in herself’ and encouraged her to chase her TV dreams.
‘There’s a lot going on in our country right now but I want to say one thing: lean on your neighbors, speak up for what you believe in. I don’t care what it is,’ she said.
Harmony then shared a message she said Kirk would often repeat – ‘When conversation stops happening, when individuals become wordless, that’s when violence begins.’
She concluded: ‘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 if your voice shakes.
‘Your words have meaning, your values have purpose. Never forget that.’
‘Thank you, CK, you changed my life.’
Kirk, a 31 year-old father of two, was shot in the neck and killed while hosting a debate event at Utah Valley University in Orem on September 10.
His alleged assassin Tyler Robinson, 22, is due in court Tuesday morning, with prosecutors indicating they’re going to file capital murder charges against him.
Harmony is believed to be the first American journalist punished for praising Kirk.
Washington Post columnist Karen Attiah announced Monday she’d been fired from her job at the paper after social media posts complaining about ‘white men’ in the wake of Kirk’s murder.
However some celebrities, including The Office star Rainn Wilson and model Josie Canseco, received backlash from their fans for honoring Kirk after his death.
Harmony said she was ‘targeted’ for for honoring the conservative commentator on air
The 31-year-old conservative activist was debating with students at Utah Valley University on Wednesday when he was shot in the neck
Harmony’s resignation comes after many Americans have been suspended or fired from their jobs for celebrating or being insensitive about Kirk’s murder last week at Utah Valley University.
MSNBC pundit Matthew Down was fired after he suggested the gunshot could have been fired by one of Kirk’s supporters.
Meanwhile a New Jersey surgeon resigned after he allegedly told a nurse that Charlie Kirk ‘had it coming’ has resigned.
Daily Mail has reached out to WICS-ABC20 Springfield for comment on this story.
