Shared memes and reposts that cost the job

23 published news cases, from 2016 to 2023. Sharing someone else's joke makes it yours to anyone scrolling back. These cases involve memes and images people shared or posted.

Scan yours first Every case links to its news source. Names left out on purpose.

Compiled by Dave Fradette · Updated October 20, 2026

23 of 23cases ended with the person losing the job, seat, admission or license.
5 of 12cases with a known age involved content a year or more old.

In all 23 the person lost the role.

5 of the 12 cases with a stated age involved content a year or more old.

These counts come from cases collected here. They are not a survey and say nothing about how often this happens. Names are left out, and each case links to its source.

The 23 cases

Lost the role2023School board member, Kennebunk, MEPosts and memes the district called hateful toward transgender people, people of color and womenMeme or imageSchool boards and local office
What surfaced
Posts and memes the district called hateful toward transgender people, people of color and women
How it came out
Screenshots circulated among parents; complaints reached the board
Outcome
Resigned; a recall had started
What to look for in your own history
A shared meme whose words demean a group. The scan doesn't read images yet, so a meme or screenshot needs a look by hand.
Source: Press Herald, NewsCenter Maine
Lost the role2023New police officer, Marion, INFacebook memes alleged to be racistMeme or imagePolice
What surfaced
Facebook memes alleged to be racist
How old it was
1 to 2 years
How it came out
Surfaced right after he was sworn in
Outcome
Fired 2 days after swearing-in
What to look for in your own history
A shared meme whose words demean a group. The scan doesn't read images yet, so a meme or screenshot needs a look by hand.
Source: WTHR
Lost the role2023Mayor, Newport, OR40+ memes in a private group that OPB said denigrated women, immigrants and LGBTQ+ peopleMeme or imageSchool boards and local office
What surfaced
40+ memes in a private group that OPB said denigrated women, immigrants and LGBTQ+ people
How old it was
Up to about 7 years
How it came out
OPB report, then a protest at City Hall
Outcome
Resigned
What to look for in your own history
A shared meme whose words demean a group. The scan doesn't read images yet, so a meme or screenshot needs a look by hand.
Source: OPB
Lost the role2023Newly sworn police officer, Pleasant Hill, MOA Facebook post the chief called "a racist meme that targeted Black people"Meme or imagePolice
What surfaced
A Facebook post the chief called "a racist meme that targeted Black people"
How old it was
About 1 month
How it came out
A resident recognized him from the swearing-in photos the city posted
Outcome
Off the force about 2 days after swearing-in; the city apologized and added social media checks
What to look for in your own history
A shared meme whose words demean a group. The scan doesn't read images yet, so a meme or screenshot needs a look by hand.
Source: KCTV5, Kansas City Star via Police1
Lost the role2022Group president, cosmetics company, New YorkReposted a meme with a racial slur on InstagramMeme or imageExecutives
What surfaced
Reposted a meme with a racial slur on Instagram
How old it was
Days
How it came out
An industry-watch Instagram account highlighted it
Outcome
Pushed out ("retired"); he said he reposted it without reading it
What to look for in your own history
A shared meme whose words demean a group. The scan doesn't read images yet, so a meme or screenshot needs a look by hand.
Source: Fortune, NBC News
Lost the role2021Corrections officer, ConnecticutMeme of men at a gallows with a joke about IslamMeme or imageFire, EMS and military
What surfaced
Meme of men at a gallows with a joke about Islam
Outcome
Fired
What to look for in your own history
A shared meme whose words demean a group. The scan doesn't read images yet, so a meme or screenshot needs a look by hand.
Source: WSHU
Lost the role2021Nominee for a state treasurer's inspector general post, IllinoisShared images and posts comparing a former president's supporters to the KKK and calling Christian nationalists terrorists, per the outletsMeme or imageCandidates and appointees
What surfaced
Shared images and posts comparing a former president's supporters to the KKK and calling Christian nationalists terrorists, per the outlets
How it came out
State senators found them during confirmation; the outlets put them at about a year old or less
Outcome
Withdrew; the office restarted its search
What to look for in your own history
A shared meme whose words demean a group. The scan doesn't read images yet, so a meme or screenshot needs a look by hand.
Source: Chicago Sun-Times, WICS NewsChannel 20
Lost the role2021Newly hired high school teacher, Hanover, MASix TikTok memes on gender identity, race and immigration that she liked, shared, posted or reposted before she was hired, according to the appeals courtMeme or imageTeachers
What surfaced
Six TikTok memes on gender identity, race and immigration that she liked, shared, posted or reposted before she was hired, according to the appeals court
How old it was
Months, before she was hired
How it came out
A resident sent a letter the day she was hired; local media followed
Outcome
Placed on leave, then fired; the district said keeping her would harm student learning. Courts sided with the district and the Supreme Court declined to hear the case in June 2025
What to look for in your own history
A shared meme whose words demean a group. The scan doesn't read images yet, so a meme or screenshot needs a look by hand.
Source: U.S. Court of Appeals, 1st Circuit (via Justia), Bloomberg Law
Lost the role2020School board member, Union County, NCMemes questioning Black people's moral values and disparaging protestersMeme or imageSchool boards and local office
What surfaced
Memes questioning Black people's moral values and disparaging protesters
How it came out
Other board members learned of the posts
Outcome
Resigned
What to look for in your own history
A shared meme whose words demean a group. The scan doesn't read images yet, so a meme or screenshot needs a look by hand.
Source: WFAE
Lost the role2020Mayor, Blackduck, MNMeme joking about driving through protestersMeme or imageSchool boards and local office
What surfaced
Meme joking about driving through protesters
How it came out
Screenshots were shared on other pages after the post was taken down
Outcome
Resigned
What to look for in your own history
A shared meme whose words demean a group. The scan doesn't read images yet, so a meme or screenshot needs a look by hand.
Source: Brainerd Dispatch
Lost the role2020Provincial election candidate, New Brunswick, CanadaMeme CBC said encouraged violence against transgender peopleMeme or imageSchool boards and local office
What surfaced
Meme CBC said encouraged violence against transgender people
How it came out
First reported by PressProgress, per CBC
Outcome
Asked to withdraw; barred from caucus
What to look for in your own history
A shared meme whose words demean a group. The scan doesn't read images yet, so a meme or screenshot needs a look by hand.
Source: CBC
Lost the role2020Paramedic, LouisianaShared a KKK-hood image and a drawing of a car hitting protesters; the employer cited their "insensitivity and disrespect"Meme or imageHealthcare
What surfaced
Shared a KKK-hood image and a drawing of a car hitting protesters; the employer cited their "insensitivity and disrespect"
Outcome
Fired; he said the posts were insensitive, not racist
What to look for in your own history
A shared meme whose words demean a group. The scan doesn't read images yet, so a meme or screenshot needs a look by hand.
Source: JEMS
Lost the role2020County planning commissioner, San Luis Obispo, CAShared memes the outlet said were highly critical of Islam or linked Democrats to NazisMeme or imageSchool boards and local office
What surfaced
Shared memes the outlet said were highly critical of Islam or linked Democrats to Nazis
Outcome
Turned down a Citizen of the Year award, then resigned
What to look for in your own history
A shared meme whose words demean a group. The scan doesn't read images yet, so a meme or screenshot needs a look by hand.
Source: CalCoastNews
Lost the role2020Newly appointed acting superintendent, DeSoto, TXReposted memes, one joking about slavery and DemocratsMeme or imagePrincipals
What surfaced
Reposted memes, one joking about slavery and Democrats
How it came out
Memes the outlet called "old" resurfaced right after the appointment
Outcome
Appointment rescinded; he apologized
What to look for in your own history
A shared meme whose words demean a group. The scan doesn't read images yet, so a meme or screenshot needs a look by hand.
Source: CBS Texas
Lost the role2019School board appointee, Virginia Beach, VAConfederate flag and Dylann Roof images; the school system called them "disrespectful and offensive"Meme or imageSchool boards and local office
What surfaced
Confederate flag and Dylann Roof images; the school system called them "disrespectful and offensive"
How old it was
About 4 years
How it came out
Found after the board's 9-0 vote, before swearing-in
Outcome
Withdrew
What to look for in your own history
A shared meme whose words demean a group. The scan doesn't read images yet, so a meme or screenshot needs a look by hand.
Source: WTKR
Lost the role2019New police officer, Tulsa, OKMemes the department said broke its policy on posts that express biasMeme or imagePolice
What surfaced
Memes the department said broke its policy on posts that express bias
How old it was
About 6 years
How it came out
A community group sent screenshots a month after he left the academy
Outcome
Fired about 75 minutes after the complaint
What to look for in your own history
A shared meme whose words demean a group. The scan doesn't read images yet, so a meme or screenshot needs a look by hand.
Source: News On 6
Lost the role2019Town judge, Altona, NYA noose image with a political caption; the judicial commission cited its racial connotationsMeme or imageLaw
What surfaced
A noose image with a political caption; the judicial commission cited its racial connotations
How old it was
Under 1 year
How it came out
Judicial conduct commission inquiry
Outcome
Resigned and agreed never to serve as a judge again
What to look for in your own history
A shared meme whose words demean a group. The scan doesn't read images yet, so a meme or screenshot needs a look by hand.
Source: Blavity, Yahoo News
Lost the role2019Deputy prison warden, state corrections department, WisconsinFive memes the appeals court described as offensive, shared on a friends-only Facebook pageMeme or imageFire, EMS and military
What surfaced
Five memes the appeals court described as offensive, shared on a friends-only Facebook page
How old it was
About 1 month
How it came out
An anonymous tip to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel; many of his roughly 1,200 friends worked for the department
Outcome
Fired in November 2019; a federal appeals court upheld the ruling against his First Amendment claim in 2025
What to look for in your own history
A shared meme whose words demean a group. The scan doesn't read images yet, so a meme or screenshot needs a look by hand.
Source: U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit (via Justia)
Lost the role2019Radio presenter, BBC Radio 5 Live, UKA tweeted photo of a couple holding hands with a chimpanzee in clothes, captioned "Royal baby leaves hospital"; the BBC called it a "serious error of judgment"Meme or imageMedia and entertainment
What surfaced
A tweeted photo of a couple holding hands with a chimpanzee in clothes, captioned "Royal baby leaves hospital"; the BBC called it a "serious error of judgment"
How old it was
1 day
How it came out
Backlash on Twitter; he deleted it and apologized, saying it was a joke about royals and circus animals, not race
Outcome
The BBC said he would no longer present his weekly show; he described it as being sacked
What to look for in your own history
A shared meme whose words demean a group. The scan doesn't read images yet, so a meme or screenshot needs a look by hand.
Source: Al Jazeera
Lost the role2018Probationary firefighter, Springfield, OHShared a meme with a racial slur; the city called it "racially insensitive"Meme or imageFire, EMS and military
What surfaced
Shared a meme with a racial slur; the city called it "racially insensitive"
Outcome
Fired less than 2 months after hiring
What to look for in your own history
A shared meme whose words demean a group. The scan doesn't read images yet, so a meme or screenshot needs a look by hand.
Source: The Root
Lost the role2017Bank executive, community savings bank, Kennebunk, MEImages on a personal Facebook page the bank called "disturbing and offensive" (reported as anti-Muslim)Meme or imageFinance and banking
What surfaced
Images on a personal Facebook page the bank called "disturbing and offensive" (reported as anti-Muslim)
How it came out
Portland Press Herald reporting
Outcome
No longer employed
What to look for in your own history
A shared meme whose words demean a group. The scan doesn't read images yet, so a meme or screenshot needs a look by hand.
Source: Maine Public (AP)
Lost the role2017Police recruit, Little Rock, ARA Facebook post with a racial slur and a picture of a sleeping Black man; his lawyer called it a joke among friendsMeme or imagePolice
What surfaced
A Facebook post with a racial slur and a picture of a sleeping Black man; his lawyer called it a joke among friends
How old it was
Over 4 years
How it came out
A fellow recruit raised it; the Black officers' association wrote to the chief
Outcome
Fired; his lawyer raised a free-speech objection
What to look for in your own history
A shared meme whose words demean a group. The scan doesn't read images yet, so a meme or screenshot needs a look by hand.
Source: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Lost the role2016Baseball analyst, sports network, Bristol, CTA reposted image about transgender people and restroom access, with his own comment addedMeme or imageMedia and entertainment
What surfaced
A reposted image about transgender people and restroom access, with his own comment added
How old it was
Days
How it came out
He posted it on Facebook; the network had pulled him from its baseball broadcasts in 2015 over a different post
Outcome
Fired; the network said his conduct was "unacceptable"
What to look for in your own history
A shared meme whose words demean a group. The scan doesn't read images yet, so a meme or screenshot needs a look by hand.
Source: NPR, AP via ABC11

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