Trump ally fired from America250 leadership after Charlie Kirk post

Ariel Abergel, a 25-year-old aide hand-picked by Donald Trump to help organize America’s 250th birthday celebration, has been fired by America250, the group behind the nation’s landmark birthday event, after posting an unauthorized memorial for Charlie Kirk on the commission’s social-media page.

The U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, a bipartisan panel overseeing the celebration, published a statement accusing Abergel of initiating a security breach of a commission social-media account, and of other breaches of authority and trust. The commission said Abergel attempted to procure the resignations of multiple commissioners by misrepresenting himself as acting on behalf of Congressional leadership and engaged in additional unauthorized actions related to commission programming, finances, and communications. Abergel was immediate suspended and later asked to resign; when he refused, he was fired. The firing decision came from the bipartisan commission board, which includes civilians and elected officials.

Abergel’s rise within MAGA circles began after he was plucked from a producing role at Fox & Friends to help organize Trump’s large-scale military parade in June, and he was then tasked with leading the upcoming national birthday celebration. Critics had warned at the time that elevating a close political ally into a high-profile national event could tilt the observance toward a Trump-centric tribute rather than a centrist national celebration. The commission’s leadership and its civilian and congressional members have grappled with those concerns as planning progressed.

In a statement issued by America250, the group accused Abergel of “initiating a security breach of a commission social-media account,” attempting to procure resignations of multiple commissioners by misrepresenting himself as acting on behalf of Congressional leadership, and engaging in “multiple other serious and repeated breaches of authority and trust.” The statement asserted that he defied directives from the Commission’s executive committee and engaged in unauthorized actions related to approved programming, finances, and communications, thereby jeopardizing the commission’s operations and reputation.

Abergel, however, pushed back on the allegations. He said the commission’s statement contained “malicious lies… meant to distract from the truth,” and that his firing stemmed from a public post mourning the death of Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist. He explained that after Kirk’s death on September 10, he requested the commission issue a statement condemning the killing and later posted a photo of Kirk to the official America250 Instagram page with the caption, “America is in mourning. God bless Charlie Kirk.” He said he was suspended immediately and was offered the chance to resign; choosing not to resign, he was fired. He maintained he acted within the bounds of his role and accused the commission of overreach.

The move came as the board continues to shape the commemoration, which includes not only the Army250 parade—an event tied to Trump’s 79th birthday—but also broader national festivities slated for America’s 250th anniversary. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly lauded Abergel for his work, saying the administration is “incredibly proud of all of Ari Abergel’s work at America250,” and that the White House would continue to collaborate with the organization to ensure the events are “the grand celebration our country deserves.”

The firing also intersects with a broader political moment centered on free speech and partisan reactions to Kirk’s death. The incident prompted a public debate over how political actors and media figures should respond to provocative events, with some conservatives calling for accountability for those who mocked Kirk and others urging restraint. The episode coincided with discussions about media appearances and potential investigations into remarks by late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, as well as regulatory attention from the FCC. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr signaled he was weighing an inquiry into Kimmel’s comments on ABC and related coverage, a development that amplified the already tense atmosphere surrounding media coverage of Kirk’s death.

As the commission moves forward with its planning for the Army250 parade and the broader national celebration, Abergel’s firing raises questions about governance, oversight, and the extent to which political appointees influence national commemorations. The board, which includes U.S. Senator Alex Padilla among its eight members of Congress, along with veteran administration officials such as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, said the decision was made to protect the integrity of the project and the public trust. In remarks reflecting a cautious approach to leadership, officials emphasized that the celebration remains a nationwide, bipartisan undertaking intended to honor the country’s history rather than any individual agenda.

The broader political dynamic surrounding the episode underscores the sensitivity around public memorials and how quickly online actions can escalate into institutional crises. For now, America250 continues planning for a nationwide schedule of events leading up to the 250th anniversary, while the commission assesses how to safeguard its social-media channels and other communications assets from future missteps. The organization’s leadership has indicated that it will remain focused on producing a centrist, inclusive celebration that reflects the nation’s diversity of perspectives, even as critics scrutinize the choices of those entrusted with its execution. This episode serves as a reminder of the delicate balance political influence and public commemoration must maintain in the contemporary media environment.