According to the now-viral post, the unnamed employee — who is believed to be part of the company’s events or logistics team — was called into a brief meeting earlier today and let go with immediate effect. The post, which has now been shared widely on Twitter, Reddit, and even internal Slack screenshots leaked to the media, reads: “They blamed me, then fired me immediately and forced me to sign an NDA. They said I ‘enabled an inappropriate situation.’ I just did my job. I booked the tickets. That’s it.”

The employee went on to say they felt “used” and “betrayed” after being treated like a scapegoat for what is widely seen as a PR disaster for Astronomer. “They knew he wanted those seats for a reason. Everyone knew. Now I’m the fall guy,” they wrote, claiming upper management had approved the expenses with no objections at the time.

The backlash online was swift and fierce. Comments flooded the post, many criticizing Astronomer’s leadership for what appears to be a desperate attempt to shift blame away from the CEO himself. “This company just keeps digging itself deeper,” one user commented. Another added: “Classic corporate gaslighting. They’re punishing employees for their boss’s affair.”

Insiders familiar with the situation suggest that the firing may have been coordinated as damage control. “HR was scrambling since the video went viral,” one anonymous employee disclosed. “They’re trying to plug holes in a sinking ship, and that poor guy got tossed overboard.”

Meanwhile, the original scandal involving Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot continues to escalate. Byron, once seen as a rising star in the startup ecosystem, has gone from celebrated executive to controversial figure overnight. His passionate moment with Cabot during the Coldplay concert has sparked widespread speculation about internal ethics violations, favoritism, and abuse of power. Cabot, who was recently promoted, is now also under review, according to anonymous reports within the company.

Adding more fuel to the fire, Byron was seen leaving the company’s San Francisco headquarters today through the back exit, avoiding reporters who had gathered after hearing about the firing. His legal team has declined to comment on any pending investigations or the employee’s termination, but several former Astronomer staff have spoken up in solidarity with the fired individual.

“I left that place six months ago because I couldn’t take the toxicity,” a former marketing manager tweeted. “Firing someone just because they happened to arrange tickets is ridiculous. This is all on Byron and everyone knows it.”

Industry analysts say this series of events could have long-lasting implications for Astronomer’s reputation and potential investor confidence. “This isn’t just about a kiss or a concert anymore,” said crisis management consultant Lena Rowe. “This is now about leadership accountability, misuse of resources, and retaliatory firing. Astronomer is quickly becoming a case study in what not to do during a scandal.”

Efforts to reach the fired employee for further comment have so far been unsuccessful, though their initial post ended ominously with: “I have screenshots, receipts, and emails. If they think they can silence me with one paycheck and a signature, they’re very wrong.”

The internet is already bracing for what could be the next big exposé. As more current and former employees begin to speak up, one thing has become crystal clear: this situation is far from over. In fact, it may just be the beginning of a much deeper unraveling inside one of Silicon Valley’s most volatile tech companies.

And as for Andy Byron, his future now hangs in the balance — not just as a CEO, but as a leader under intense scrutiny for what some are calling “the Coldplay Collapse.”