Beni Harmony served as the Lifestyle Anchor/Reporter for WICS ABC20 in Springfield, Illinois. According to her announcements on X and Facebook, she faced suspension for an on-air tribute delivered on a Friday honoring the memory of TPUSA co-founder and CEO Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated.

Rather than accepting the suspension, Harmony opted to resign. Her tribute conveyed a personal bond with Kirk, noting that he was “the first person who made me believe in myself.” She shared the tribute in an X post, which was emotive, sincere, and inspirational, without crossing into partisanship or divisiveness. This is in contrast to national media outlets, which have reacted negatively and, at times, with hostility since Kirk’s untimely death on Wednesday.

Recently, numerous stories have emerged involving the dismissal of medical and educational professionals who openly rejoiced at Kirk’s murder. Now, Harmony’s case seems to mark the first suspension over a positive remark and tribute to Kirk.

More upside-down from a world that appears to have gone crazy.

 WATCH:

Effective immediately, I have resigned from @WICS_ABC20 after being SUSPENDED for airing a non-partisan tribute to Charlie Kirk this past Friday.

The mainstream media has seen several members fired or reprimanded for making light of his assassination. I believe this is the first instance of someone being targeted for… pic.twitter.com/y41QOWDBl5

— Beni Rae Harmony (@BeniRaeHarmony) September 15, 2025

Effective immediately, I have resigned from @WICS_ABC20 after being SUSPENDED for airing a non-partisan tribute to Charlie Kirk this past Friday. 

Many in the mainstream media have been fired or punished for mocking his assassination. I believe I am the first to be targeted for honoring him on air.

My resignation is driven by core values integral to my identity, which I am unwilling to compromise for employment. My dedication to faith and love of country remains unwavering.

Thank you, Springfield. My home. My community. My people.  

God Bless Charlie Kirk and his beautiful family, and God Bless these United States of America.

Harmony posted the full resignation letter on her Facebook page, with an image of her posing with her back to the camera. Harmony is wearing a t-shirt with an American flag emblem emblazoned on it. 

Quite the statement.

The suspension by WICS is an interesting flex. News is scripted, programmed, and timed to the very second, so it is doubtful that her decision to give this tribute was impromptu or ad libbed. It was most likely approved by one or several producers. One wonders why they chose to put her on suspension for making it.

This is reminiscent of former Fox 26 Houston correspondent Ivory Hecker, who, in 2021, acted as a whistleblower for Project Veritas (at that time still helmed by Jim O’Keefe), exposing the network’s bias and corruption. Hecker chose to resign her position as well and now works as an independent journalist. 

BREAKING: Fox 26 Reporter Releases tape of ‘Corruption,’ ‘Censorship.’ Fox Corp Boss told Hecker “cease & desist” posting on Hydroxychloroquine & ‘Poor African-Americans’ don’t care about Bitcoin. “Viewers being Deceived”#Fox26Whistleblower pic.twitter.com/vwVcy3MBvS

— Eric Spracklen🦆🐈 (@EricSpracklen) June 15, 2021

Dive Deeper: Project Veritas Drops the Secret Recordings Made About Fox by Ivory Hecker

The G7 Coverage and Ivory Hecker Reflect a 4th Estate in Foreclosure 

Then you have a former Arizona Fox 10 correspondent who, in 2020, also chose to resign from a high-profile and lucrative anchor spot. We all know her as the acting CEO of Voice of America and former gubernatorial and Senate candidate Kari Lake.

So, Harmony made the correct move. Hats off to her because she followed Charlie Kirk’s example of living and walking in her values, out loud, and without apology. Independent journalism and new media are expanding and becoming a more powerful force, while legacy media continues to crumble and slide into irrelevancy. 

Expect to see Harmony again sooner, rather than later. If Kari Lake’s trajectory is any indication, Harmony may find herself with a bigger platform and greater reach than the one she left behind.