Michael Mann, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, is facing heavy backlash after mocking the death of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.
Despite the outrage, the Ivy League school has not fired him.
Mann, who also served as Vice Provost for Climate Science, Policy, and Action, shared posts attacking Kirk shortly after the conservative leader’s death.
The move sparked national fury across social media and campus circles.
Mann later resigned from his administrative role but remains on the university’s payroll.
According to Penn’s faculty page, he still holds the title of Professor and Director of the Penn Center for Science, Sustainability, and the Media.
“Resignation doesn’t mean accountability,” one critic told Fox News. “He’s still drawing a paycheck from the same university that tolerated his disgusting comments.”
The university has refused to say if Mann faces any disciplinary action.
A Penn spokesperson did not respond to questions about his current employment status or whether further action would be taken, per Fox News.
The outrage comes after Mann reportedly shared and liked multiple posts celebrating Kirk’s death. Screenshots circulating online show him interacting with messages mocking the tragedy.
Mann attempted to downplay the backlash after deleting the posts. “I do not approve of the inappropriate and inflammatory language used to describe Kirk,” he said in a statement. He claimed he had removed the tweets to prevent further outrage.
Critics say that’s not enough. “This is a test of moral consistency,” said one conservative commentator. “If a conservative professor mocked the death of a liberal activist, they’d be fired immediately.”
Mann’s continued employment has fueled anger toward the University of Pennsylvania, already under fire for its handling of antisemitism and political bias on campus. Many have accused the school of applying double standards when it comes to conservative figures.
“Penn’s silence says everything,” another observer said. “They only care about accountability when the target isn’t on their side.”
Fox News reported that Mann’s name still appears on the university’s official directory, confirming that he remains a faculty member. His biography continues to promote his work in climate activism and environmental policy.
Despite the controversy, the university has issued no public condemnation. There has been no indication of any internal investigation or reprimand.
The incident has reignited debate about academic freedom and the boundaries of speech on campus. Conservatives argue that universities protect left-leaning faculty while silencing right-wing voices.
For now, Michael Mann remains a tenured professor at an Ivy League school, even after mocking a man’s death. His resignation from one post did little to satisfy the growing calls for real accountability.
