More than 250 individuals gathered at the Plaza of the Americas on the University of Florida campus on February 27, 2025, to watch conservative activist Charlie Kirk engage with students and community members on contentious topics including immigration, white privilege, and LGBTQ+ rights. This event was part of Kirk's much-publicized "American Comeback Tour," initiated by Turning Point USA to challenge what he describes as left-wing indoctrination on college campuses.
"It feels good to win, doesn’t it? This is what free speech is all about," Kirk exclaimed as he began the nearly three-hour event hosted by UF's chapter of Turning Point USA. Supporters clad in red, white, and blue chanted his name, and many rushed forward to collect white baseball hats embroidered with the number 47—an emblem of Kirk's informal association with former President Donald Trump.
Kirk, who founded Turning Point USA, which boasts over 850 chapters across U.S. college campuses, presented himself as both provocateur and educator, inviting attendees to challenge him directly on his views. He was open to questions, stating, "This is what free speech is all about." Dressed in a "Gulf of America" T-shirt, he adopted the open mic format, encouraging attendees to approach him with their questions, whether to support him or engage in spirited debate.
Tracy Ase-Shabazz, a 32-year-old alumnus of the University of Central Florida, was eager to address Kirk's take on white privilege. He asserted, "With me and my white counterparts, we have the same opportunity to get the same job. But whites are higher, triple the race. Blacks aren't in the same position." Kirk responded by challenging the definition of white privilege, asking, "Is it easier for a Black person or a white person to get..." He also posited his controversial view nipping at systemic racism, emphasizing the belief among conservatives in meritocracy over racial criteria.
Young attendees also joined the debate, including 19-year-old Gabriel Mejia, who donned a pink dress and gold hoop earrings to challenge Kirk on gender constructs. He posed questions on Kirk's views about the LGBTQ+ community and expressed support for more inclusivity. "You can say you are [a woman], and I would say you are," Mejia stated, seeking common ground among differing views. This led Kirk to counter with perspectives steeped firmly in traditional gender ideology, stating, "Men and women are distinct, and perverts have no place..." This remark elicited cheers from some attendees, highlighting the divided sentiments present at the event.
Other students framed Kirk's position less favorably. Notably, Maggie MacDonald, who stood nearby raising signs declaring Kirk to be "misogynist" and "fascist," criticized his message and its potential dangers, stating, "I hope [people] realize they are facing…a country...against everyone but straight, white, Christian men." This sentiment underscored the atmosphere at the event, painting Kirk’s visit as both celebrated and protested.
Support from conservative students contrasted sharply with their more liberal peers, as illustrated by comments from Dakota Driemeyer, who expressed hopes Kirk would present conservative viewpoints positively. “A lot of what you see online is very negative, but the vast majority of the conversations he has are positive,” he noted.
The event also delved encompassing topics such as affirmative action and government initiatives like DOGE—a department Kirk argued would help the U.S. exert its influence responsibly abroad rather than just throwing money at nations like Vietnam. His observations led to agreement among some attendees but considerable resistance from those who vigorously opposed his views.
Despite the lively debates, the crowd atmosphere maintained some degree of civility, as acknowledged by Sienna Wallace, 18, who appreciated Kirk’s respectful engagement. "He’s very respectful about it," Wallace noted, gesturing to the need for mutual respect among differing views.
At the end of the event, Kirk reiterated his message promoting free speech as he thanked participants for their engagement. The concluding remarks left many attendees with stickers and copies of the U.S. Constitution as parting gestures, aiming to reinforce the core values Kirk advocates.
Following this stop at the University of Florida, Kirk was scheduled to speak at Florida State University the next day, where additional protests were anticipated similar to those seen at UF. This tour continues to shed light on the deeply polarized political climate around college campuses today, with voices from various sides engaging with pressing societal issues.