A teacher who called Charlie Kirk ‘rubbish’ has been honored in the school’s yearbook
A Rhode Island high school teacher who sparked outrage after calling slain Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk “scum” following his assassination has been honored in the school’s 2026 yearbook, prompting criticism of the teacher’s comments and the school’s response.
Shortly after Kirk was publicly murdered on September 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University during his “American Comeback Tour,” Benjamin Fillo, a social studies teacher at Barrington High School in Rhode Island, posted a video online saying Kirk “hated the LGBTQ community” and “hated women’s rights.”
Fillo, who was placed on administrative leave after his video posting, also said in the video that Kirk “thought he proved how tough he is with his words … What a piece of trash. Look what happened … Bye, Charlie!”
RHODE ISLAND TEACHER WHO CALLED CHARLIE KIRK A ‘PIECE OF TRASH’ WILL BACK IN CLASSROOM AFTER SUSPENSION
Right-wing activist Charlie Kirk speaks on stage at America Fest 2024 in Phoenix, Ariz., Dec. 22, 2024. Kirk was shot and killed on Sept. 10, 2025, in an assassination that raised concerns about political violence in the US.
Fillo then returned to teaching on Dec. 1 despite violating the district’s social media policy, Barrington Public Schools interim Superintendent Bob Mitchell said in an email obtained by Fox News Digital.
The yearbook recognition comes months after a teacher’s comments about Kirk went viral online, drawing backlash and criticism.
The recognition read, in part, “Any student at BHS who has the opportunity to learn from you should consider themselves fortunate. If we take anything away from our time with you, it is an understanding of what good can come from approaching life with the same dedication and dedication you bring to every classroom you teach. However, if we had to ask for one final lesson, however, it would be to dress as a BHS icon only in fashion.”
The pledge was signed by “Karthik and Nachi on behalf of the Class of 2026,” and in a statement to Fox News Digital, a spokesperson for Barrington Public Schools said the pledge was decided by the senior class.
RI SCHOOL WANTS TO PAY MOM $117K TO REVIEW CURRICULUM FROM TEACHER WHO CALLED CHARLIE KIRK A ‘PIECE OF TRASH’
Charlie Kirk is shown at the Utah Valley University event where he was shot and killed on September 10, 2025. Tyler Robinson, the suspect, appeared on video at his initial hearing on September 16 and has not been seen since. (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune via Reuters; Utah State Courts/Handout)
“The dedication of the Barrington High School yearbook is voted on by the senior class only as part of the student-led production of the book,” a spokesperson said. “As we celebrate the Class of 2026 and the end of another successful school year, our focus remains on recognizing the success, growth, and contributions of our students.”
Heather and Jarrod Ryan, who have a son at Barrington High School, told Fox News Digital they were “deeply disappointed in the election of a teacher who has publicly encouraged political violence against a particular group.”
“This is very different from the principles of integrity and respect we have,” they added. “A yearbook dedication would be best suited to a retired vice principal, who has spent many hours, many days, and a long time with the children and the community, receiving great admiration and deep respect.”
WHAT TYLER ROBINSON’S DEFENSE WANTS TO HIDE AND WHY PROSECUTORS AND DEFENSES ARE SAYING NO IN COURT
Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed while appearing on the “American Comeback Tour” at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on September 10, 2025. (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images)
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Fox News Digital reached out to Fillo for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
