Misty Hunt, a school board member in Homer-Center, Pennsylvania, has found herself at the center of a firestorm after a simple gardening post on social media was seized upon by MAGA supporters who claimed it celebrated the recent assassination of far-right commentator Charlie Kirk.
On September 10, the same day Kirk was tragically shot while speaking at Utah Valley University, Hunt posted the phrase “one down, hundreds to go” alongside what was supposed to be a video of milkweed seeds blowing in the wind—a yearly gardening ritual she uses to help monarch butterflies thrive. But poor cell phone reception prevented the video from uploading, leaving just the cryptic phrase visible to the public.
That phrase, stripped of its context, quickly sparked outrage. Many interpreted it as a callous celebration of Kirk’s murder, leading to widespread accusations against Hunt, The Guardian reports. The local school board launched an investigation to “completely understand her intentions” amid mounting pressure.
Hunt has firmly denied any connection between her post and Kirk’s death. “A tragedy occurred. And I was too busy enjoying nature to know what went down,” she explained. She emphasized, “My post was only about butterflies and creating a space for them. The end.” Hunt also expressed condolences to Kirk’s family and condemned all forms of political violence, writing: “No cause, no ideology, no disagreement is worth a human life.”
Despite her clarifications, the fallout has been severe. At the Homer-Center school board meeting on September 18, which drew an unusually large crowd and required police presence, Hunt faced harsh criticism and threats. According to reports, people have threatened her workplace and pressured her employer to fire her. “My children – we’re all afraid of going places right now, so it’s been really hard for the family,” Hunt said.
Due to safety concerns, Hunt has stepped back from her board duties and was removed from the negotiations committee. She is still running for re-election in November, saying, “If the community chooses me again, then I feel confident I will continue my good work.”
This incident highlights how quickly social media posts can be misinterpreted and weaponized, especially in today’s politically charged climate. A gardening post meant to celebrate nature has instead exposed a local official and her family to threats and fear, underscoring the high stakes of public discourse in an era of division and suspicion.
