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Red “Make America Great Again” hats dotted the crowd, and signs of protests and support stood out among hundreds of students who swarmed Oklahoma State's International Mall Lawn on Tuesday afternoon to see Charlie Kirk debate with students.
Kirk, founder and executive director of Turning Point USA, stopped at OSU as part of “The American Comeback Tour." The conservative political activist and media personality rose to social media stardom through viral videos of him debating college students, and he’s a regular speaker on Fox News, CNBC and political conventions.
He made a last-minute stop in Stillwater, with OSU’s Turning Point Chapter announcing his visit only five days before. Kirk is scheduled to speak from noon to 3 p.m., but students gathered at the tent labeled “PROVE ME WRONG” hours before Kirk assumed his post behind the mic.
One student heckled Kirk with a megaphone before the debates even began, while others cheered as Kirk entered. Two signs depicting Kirk as the devil stared down a “Jesus Loves You” sign, juxtaposing the personalities that came to hear Kirk speak.
“He's supporting a rapist, first off, the president of the country,” said Kayleigh, who requested to be referred to on a first-name-only basis while holding the Kirk-devil sign in hand. “And this crowd should be used to push things that are gonna be good for campus, not this guy who comes out and just causes issues for the students.”
The event was free to attend, and it attracted more than students. Pam and David Oakes, 71 and 72 respectively, searched the area for a place to set down their blue lawn chairs and enjoy the debate.
“This is awesome, because sometimes you think college kids just are still going with just the flow, the way the woke is going,” Pam said. “So we are very, very, very excited.”
Kirk is scheduled to continue debates until 3 p.m.