Utah Valley University scraps controversial commencement speaker who criticized Charlie Kirk after his murder
· Fox News
Utah Valley University (UVU) announced on Thursday that author and educator Sharon McMahon will no longer serve as its commencement speaker after widespread backlash to her past comments about Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, following his assassination on the same campus.
"Due to increased safety concerns related to the speaker and in consultation with public safety professionals and Sharon McMahon, Utah Valley University has decided to proceed without a featured commencement speaker for this year’s ceremony," the school announced.
Visit michezonews.co.za for more information.
Days after Kirk was killed, McMahon wrote on X, "Millions of people feel they were harmed, and the murder that was horrific and should never have happened does not magically erase what was said or done."
INFLUENCER JAKE PAUL SAYS CHARLIE KIRK WOULD HAVE BEEN 'THE NEXT PRESIDENT'
"To many Americans, especially if you are Black, LGBTQ or Muslim, Charlie Kirk was not a person who simply engaged in good-faith debates on college campuses."
Kirk was killed after being shot in the neck while speaking at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. The 31-year-old was participating in a public speaking event sponsored by the campus chapter of Turning Point at the time of his assassination.
The school selecting McMahon as commencement speaker months after the killing emerged as a polarizing issue, with ex-Utah Republican Rep. Jason Chaffetz calling it a "horrific choice."
ALLEGED CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSIN TYLER ROBINSON'S FINGERPRINTS, PALM PRINT FOUND NEAR ROOFTOP: REPORT
Turning Point spokesperson Andrew Kolvet was "shocked and disappointed" that the school selected McMahon.
"I just felt it was in really bad taste," Kolvet told Fox News Digital on Wednesday, before McMahon's speech was canceled.
"It feels cold-hearted," he continued. "It feels unnecessary, and I really hope that they change course, change direction and pick somebody more suitable for the time."
Kolvet called it "really disrespectful" to students who are still grieving the loss of Kirk, and to others who are "traumatized" by the horrific killing.
TYLER ROBINSON JUDGE UNSEALS ATF REPORT IN ASSASSINATION OF CHARLIE KIRK
Turning Point USA chapter president at Utah Valley University Caleb Chilcutt called the selection of McMahon a "slap to the face" Monday on "Fox & Friends."
Tyler Robinson, a Utah man, was arrested on suspicion of killing Kirk and faces seven charges, including aggravated murder. He faces the death penalty if convicted.
This is a developing story, more to come…
Fox News Digital’s Max Bacall and Michael Ruiz contributed to this report.