Can a short circuit kill the USB port of a PC?
It could, depending on how it is built, and how you will short it.
If simply shorting 5V to GND, it could survive many events. Shorting 5V to data pins can damage the data pins. Shorting 5V to some other higher voltage in the circuit can damage the whole laptop.
If you like to have working USB ports and laptops, don't use your laptop as a power supply.