Turning Point USA spokesperson Andrew Kolvet on Saturday slammed teachers at an Arizona high school for appearing to mock the death of Charlie Kirk but walked his remarks back at least partially when it turned out their Halloween costumes predated Kirk’s death.
Kolvet posted a photo on X showing eight teachers from Cienaga High School’s math department in the Vail School District in Tucson wearing white shirts splattered with dark red dye and featuring the phrase “Problem Solved.”
He said the image was shared by concerned parents.
“Concerned parents just sent us this image of what’s believed to be teachers in [the Vail School District] in Tuscon, Arizona mocking Charlie’s murder with costumes that read ‘Problem Solved’ and blood down the left side of their shirts,” Kolvet said. “They deserve to be famous, and fired.”
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Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk speaks during a campaign rally for President Donald Trump at Desert Diamond Arena Aug. 23, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)
School Superintendent John Carruth said the shirts were part of “math-themed Halloween costumes” and were not referencing any individual or event. Indeed, photos circulated on social media from the prior year appeared to show teachers wearing similar shirts.
“We understand that a recent social media post showing members of Cienega’s math department wearing shirts that say ‘Problem Solved’ has caused some confusion and concern,” Carruth said in a statement. “The shirts were worn in reference to solving math problems.”
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Kolvet released a new statement acknowledging that the costumes had been worn before Kirk was assassinated in Utah in September but still objected to the message he said they sent.
“Vail Schools said these math teachers wore the same costume last year,” Kolvet wrote on X. “I was waiting for confirmation, and it appears they did.
“We’ve seen enough evil since Charlie’s murder that I’d actually be relieved if this isn’t another example,” he continued. “That being said, it’s a very weird costume for teachers in general, but after what happened to Charlie, I’m absolutely floored they wore it again.”
Carruth apologized and said the shirts would not be worn again.
“This is a hard lesson for all of us that more thought and care need to be taken in these times. Please know that lesson has been learned,” Carruth said. “We also want to express concern that some individuals are being targeted online as a result of this misunderstanding. Personal attacks or threats against staff are unacceptable and do not reflect the values of our community.”
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Kolvet, however, questioned the district’s explanation, noting that the red dye appeared only on the left side of the shirts — the same side where Kirk was fatally shot Sept. 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University.
Andrew Kolvet, Turning Point USA spokesperson, speaks during the public memorial service for right-wing activist Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., Sept. 21. (Patrick Fallon via Getty Images)
“Who’s buying this explanation?” Kolvet questioned.
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Neither Cienaga High School nor Carruth immediately responded to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Sophia Compton is a Writer at Fox News Digital. Sophia was previously a business reporter covering finance, energy and tourism and has experience as a TV news producer. She graduated with a journalism degree in 2021 from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
