Man jailed for posting Trump meme wins $835,000 settlement

A retired Tennessee law enforcement officer, Larry Bushart, spent 37 days in jail for posting a meme after conservative activist Charlie Kirk's assassination. Tennessee officials agreed to pay $835,000 to settle Bushart's lawsuit over the unlawful incarceration. Bushart, represented by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, sued for violations of his constitutional rights and retaliation for protected speech.

Source: Ars Technica | 2026-05-20