University Where Charlie Kirk Was Assassinated Axes Speaker After Posts Ignite Backlash

The university where Charlie Kirk was assassinated will not have a commencement speaker this year after facing backlash for choosing an author who criticized the popular conservative commentator shortly after his death. 

Utah Valley University said Thursday it would proceed without a commencement speaker due to “safety concerns.” The decision follows criticism over its selection of the so-called “non-partisan” author Sharon McMahon, who had previously called Kirk’s message harmful.

“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 university said in a statement. 

McMahon, who describes herself as “America’s government teacher,” posted a series of out-of-context quotes from Kirk after his death to explain why “there is so much backlash to posts eulogizing his death,” claiming that Kirk “was not a person who simply engaged in good-faith debates on college campuses” if you were black or Muslim.

Local outlets have reported on the posts, which have since been deleted from social media. 

“It’s important to remember that the incredible tragedy of a public assassination does not erase the harm many experienced from his words and the ensuing actions his followers took,” McMahon wrote, according to a local CBS affiliate. 

The selection of McMahon as a speaker garnered criticism from Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) and the university’s Turning Point USA chapter. 

“Hours immediately after Charlie’s assassination, Sharon McMahon posted a now-deleted series of out-of-context quotes from Charlie in an effort to tarnish his name and minimize the tragedy, rather than offering condolences or condemning political violence,” chapter president Caleb Chilcutt said.

“There are countless better alternatives, and the fact that the university is choosing McMahon is entirely disappointing to all of us still reeling from his loss. I couldn’t be more disappointed in this university for such a hurtful and callous decision,” he added.

Last week, the university told Deseret News that McMahon’s selection had been “overwhelmingly positive” and “well received.”