Man wins $835K after sheriff jailed him for a month over Charlie Kirk post

Published on 5/20/2026, 2:50:40 PM

Key points

Larry Bushart, a retired Tennessee cop who was jailed for 37 days for posting a Trump meme on Facebook, won an $835,000 settlement Wednesday after suing the county and sheriff that he said jailed him in order to censor him.
In a press release, Bushart’s legal team at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) confirmed that Bushart agreed to dismiss his lawsuit in exchange for the “substantial settlement.” “I am pleased my First Amendment rights have been vindicated,” Bushart said.
“The people’s freedom to participate in civil discourse is crucial to a healthy democracy.
I am looking forward to moving on and spending time with my family.” The settlement will help ensure that Bushart and his wife have a comfortable retirement.
That was threatened when Bushart was jailed, as he lost his post-retirement job.

Quick context: Larry Bushart, a retired Tennessee cop who was jailed for 37 days for posting a Trump meme on Facebook, won an $835,000 settlement Wednesday after suing the county and sheriff that he said jailed...

Published May 20, 2026.

📌 Source: Ashley Belanger

The BriefWire