PHNX Sports has parted ways with longtime Phoenix Suns beat writer Gerald Bourguet after a series of social media comments he made regarding the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The company released a statement on X confirming the decision:
“The opinions expressed by our employees do not represent the views of PHNX or ALLCITY Network. We take matters involving violence very seriously and are committed to ensuring that ALLCITY remains a safe place for our employees and community alike. We have addressed this matter with the individual and made the decision to part ways.”
The opinions expressed by our employees do not represent the views of PHNX or ALLCITY Network. We take matters involving violence very seriously and are committed to ensuring that ALLCITY remains a safe place for our employees and community alike. We have addressed this matter…
— PHNX Sports (@PHNX_Sports) September 11, 2025
Bourguet, who also hosted the PHNX Suns podcast, came under fire after posting a string of messages on his personal account. He wrote:
“‘Political differences’ are not the same thing as spewing hateful rhetoric on a daily basis, and refusing to mourn a life devoted to that cause is not the same thing as celebrating gun violence. Just so we’re 100% clear on that.”
“Political differences” are not the same thing as spewing hateful rhetoric on a daily basis, and refusing to mourn a life devoted to that cause is not the same thing as celebrating gun violence. Just so we’re 100% clear on that.
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) September 11, 2025
He went on to challenge those upset with his stance, adding:
“If you’re saddened by today’s ‘political violence,’ horrified by the video, or repulsed by my response, ask yourself why your reaction was different when it came to school shootings, mass deportations or the HUNDREDS of videos of horrific murders in Gaza (which Kirk cheered on).”
“He was a father”
Half of y’all didn’t give a DAMN about doing anything to stop gun violence when the victims of mass shootings were LITERAL children. And those kids weren’t bigots spreading genocidal propaganda, or a mindset he directly fed into with this Holy Grail of Ironies: pic.twitter.com/yDSexl2Fx1
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) September 11, 2025
In another post, Bourguet doubled down:
“Truly don’t care if you think it’s insensitive or poor timing to decline to respect an evil man who died. Too many of you are more concerned with being polite and appearing to be good people rather than showing some damn backbone and standing on (principle) to condemn hate.”
If you’re saddened by today’s “political violence,” horrified by the video, or repulsed by my response, ask yourself why your reaction was different when it came to school shootings, mass deportations or the HUNDREDS of videos of horrific murders in Gaza (which Kirk cheered on)
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) September 11, 2025
As of publication, Bourguet had not publicly commented on his firing.
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