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‘Funniest thing’: UC Irvine professor appears to joke about Nick Shirley getting killed

Posted on September 8, 2026
By Matt Lamb - Associate Editor
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A comment celebrating assassination under a Harvard Republicans' post; Harvard Republicans/Instagram

UPDATED

Previously had made post appearing to praise Luigi Mangione

A University of California Irvine instructor appears to have joked about someone assassinating independent journalist Nick Shirley ahead of a planned appearance at Harvard University.

Shirley, the creator of viral videos exposing fraud in Medicaid and subsidized daycare programs, is slated to speak Wednesday night to the Harvard Republicans Club.

Underneath a post about the event, UC Irvine instructor Matt Goldman wrote “Someone can do the funniest thing just before the Kirkiversary.” Thursday is the one-year anniversary of the assassination of Turning Point USA CEO Charlie Kirk.

This is not Goldman’s first time appearing to endorse political violence. After the assassination of a UnitedHealthcare CEO in 2024, Goldman wrote “Let’s not pretend as if America isn’t the greatest country on earth.” The Instagram post included a photo of “Super Mario” character Luigi putting a gun to someone’s head. The killer of the healthcare executive is named Luigi Mangione.

Goldman also teaches at Chapman University.

Though his LinkedIn and social media pages have reportedly been removed or hidden, his liberal ideology is clear.

“At Chapman, he teaches composition courses on protest movements and campus activism,” according to his UC Irvine profile. “At UCI, he teaches about conspiracy theories and mass incarceration. He also teaches creative writing at Santa Ana Jail.”

His LinkedIn says he specializes in “social justice rhetoric and community-centered composition.”

Yard Report, a conservative news website that covers Harvard news, criticized the comments from Goldman.

“Harvard students should not have to wonder whether a university lecturer is cheering on violence against a speaker invited by their classmates,” the site posted on X.

“Nor should students at Chapman or UC Irvine have to wonder whether an instructor responsible for evaluating their work regards violence against their political opponents as something to be celebrated.”

The College Fix called UC Irvine’s media relations office but could only leave a voicemail. The Fix sent a follow-up email asking for comment on what Goldman wrote and if the school would be looking into the matter any further.

After publication, the university responded to The Fix in an emailed statement, saying it cannot comment on personnel matters.

However, it stated that the lecturer’s “statements are inconsistent with the university’s Principles of Community and our commitment to fostering a community grounded in respect, inclusion and the free exchange of ideas.”

“Hateful rhetoric and statements that advocate violence against anyone are fundamentally at odds with the values we uphold as a university,” UC Irvine stated, adding that it is committed to upholding freedom of speech “including speech that may be objectionable or offensive.”

The Fix similarly tried to reach Chapman University for comment but a call went straight to voicemail. The Fix sent the same questions to the school’s public relations team.

After publication, Chapman responded to The Fix.

“Chapman University is aware of the concerning reports regarding Matt Goldman and takes this issue very seriously,” spokesman Bob Hitchcock told The Fix on Wednesday. “Mr. Goldman is not currently on campus or teaching at Chapman.  In keeping with standard employment practices, we cannot provide any further information.”

Editor’s note: The article has been updated with comment from Chapman University. The subject of Shirley’s video has also been clarified. Additionally, the article has been updated to include a statement from UC Irvine.

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