Andrew Kolvet, a spokesperson for Turning Point USA, expressed strong disapproval on Saturday towards a group of teachers from an Arizona high school, whom he accused of mocking the death of Charlie Kirk with their Halloween costumes. Meanwhile, the school district maintained that the costumes were not intended as a political statement.
Kolvet took to social media platform X to share a picture that depicted eight teachers from the math department at Cienaga High School, part of the Vail School District in Tucson. The teachers were dressed in white shirts stained with dark-red dye and emblazoned with the words “Problem Solved.”
According to Kolvet, the image was sent to him by concerned parents in the community.
“Concerned parents have shared this image with us, displaying what appears to be teachers from the Vail School District in Tucson, Arizona. They seem to be mocking Charlie’s murder with costumes that read ‘Problem Solved’ and feature blood-like stains on the shirts,” Kolvet stated. “These individuals should be held accountable and dismissed from their positions.”
Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was a prominent figure who spoke at a rally for then-President Donald Trump on August 23, 2024, in Glendale, Arizona. Tragically, Kirk, a 31-year-old husband and father, was fatally shot on September 10 while delivering a speech at Utah Valley University during his American Comeback Tour.
In a subsequent post, Kolvet included a statement from the district’s Superintendent John Carruth, who clarified that the attire was part of “math-themed Halloween costumes” and bore no connection to any person or incident. Photos from the previous year’s Halloween celebration, shared on social media, seemed to show teachers wearing similar costumes.
“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,” Superintendent John Carruth said in a statement. “The shirts were worn in reference to solving math problems.”
Carruth claimed staff had also worn the shirts last year. He also 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.”
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 on 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. Kolvet on Saturday slammed teachers at an Arizona high school for allegedly mocking the death of Charlie Kirk through Halloween costumes. (Patrick Fallon via Getty Images)
“Who’s buying this explanation?” Kolvet questioned.
Neither Cienaga High School nor Carruth immediately responded to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
