A news anchor and reporter for a local ABC affiliate television station out of Springfield, Illinois has resigned from her job after the network suspended her for a non-partisan tribute to the late Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.
On Friday, Beni Rae Harmony began her program by sharing a 1-minute tribute to Kirk, who was horrifically assassinated while speaking to students at a college in Utah.
Fighting back tears, Harmony revealed that she had once worked for Kirk, and said he was a mentor to her during her first years of her media career. According to her LinkedIn page, she was a Turning Point USA producer and administrator in the Washington, DC and Baltimore area from August 2021 to February 2022.
Harmony said Kirk was not only her first boss, but he made her believe in herself, and he changed her life.
“I want to share with you one of my favorite sayings that Charlie would always tell us at the office. He would yell it from the mountaintops, so please listen: ‘When conversations stop happening. When individuals become wordless, that’s when violence begins. 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, even if your voice shakes. Your words have meaning, your values have purpose. Never forget that,’” she said.
But by Monday evening, her career at the ABC affiliate, WICS ABC 20, was over. Harmoney shared the video of her tribute to Kirk, along with the following announcement:
Effective immediately, I have resigned from @WICS_ABC20 after being SUSPENDED for airing a non-partisan tribute to Charlie Kirk this past Friday.
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.
WATCH BELOW:
Effective immediately, I have resigned from @WICS_ABC20 after being SUSPENDED for airing a non-partisan tribute to Charlie Kirk this past Friday.
Many in the mainstream media have been fired or punished for mocking his assassination. I believe I am the first to be targeted for… pic.twitter.com/y41QOWDBl5
— Beni Rae Harmony (@BeniRaeHarmony) September 15, 2025
Harmony has received an outpouring of support on social media. One X user asked, “How can we support you?”
Harmony graciously replied, “While I’m still looking for my next job in media, I recommend everyone support Charlie’s family first ❤️.”
While I’m still looking for my next job in media, I recommend everyone support Charlie’s family first ❤️https://t.co/FdrNofvYHE
— Beni Rae Harmony (@BeniRaeHarmony) September 15, 2025
You did the right thing here. Never regret it. 🙏🏼
— Ryan Fournier (@RyanAFournier) September 16, 2025
💔💔💔
I’m so sorry! You will be rewarded for this.
— Breanna Morello (@BreannaMorello) September 16, 2025
You did the right thing on and off air
— Shawn Farash (@Shawn_Farash) September 16, 2025
Follow us on X (Formerly Twitter.)
The DML News App: www.X.com/DMLNewsApp
