Turning Point USA is currently hosting their “Student Action Summit.” Speakers include Judge Jeannine Pirro, Greg Gutfeld, Tomi Lahren, Donald Trump Jr., Ben Shapiro, Dennis Prager and Allie Stuckey.
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APPLY NOW! https://t.co/AaT2v10rjX pic.twitter.com/nosk9yrbW4
— Turning Point USA (@TPUSA) October 20, 2017
THOUSANDS of students in Palm Beach fighting for FREEDOM and LOWER TAXES!
This is a movement the media WONT tell you about!
There is a REAL movement happening on campus against the totalitarian left, and WE WILL WIN! #BigGovSucks #SAS2017 pic.twitter.com/TTD6f0hZWt
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) December 20, 2017
One student who is attending the conference, Chloe Knox, claims that she had a question for Fox News’ Tomi Lahren about being pro-choice. When she tried asking her question, Knox says she was ‘censored’ by TPUSA.
I was just told I could not ask @TomiLahren my question at #SAS2017 because @charliekirk11 and Lahren don’t want to address the abortion issue. I spent hundreds of dollars to be here, but you’re going to deny me my free speech? pic.twitter.com/jSdGQ6eG0u
— Chloe Knox (@knoxknoxwhosder) December 21, 2017
Knox went on a Twitter spree about her experience:
I’m livid. You’ve turned away a dozen students wanting to ask Tomi about her pro-abortion stance. Who’s the snowflake afraid of free speech and open discussion now? #SAS2017
— Chloe Knox (@knoxknoxwhosder) December 21, 2017
What sort of conservative conference disallows its attendees to ask questions about major components of the conservative agenda? I want to dedicate my life fighting the abortion industry, and you’re preventing me from garnering experience @charliekirk11 @TomiLahren #SAS2017
— Chloe Knox (@knoxknoxwhosder) December 21, 2017
Apparently, Knox reached out to Allie Stuckey, better known as the Conservative Millennial, about her experience. Stuckey agreed with Knox.
So thankful that one of my role models @conservmillen stands with me on this! pic.twitter.com/Pl24zJ2tFY
— Chloe Knox (@knoxknoxwhosder) December 21, 2017
Others on Twitter commented on the issue that seemingly appeared to get Lahren fired from TheBlaze.
https://twitter.com/Skidd333/status/943968005742120961
Why would she willingly take on that conversation though? Think about it. The last time she spoke about how she felt about abortion she was drug through the mud. She probably figures she’s better off not addressing the topic out of fear of another public relations nightmare.
That’s pretty disappointing. If she’s going to do an event such as this, she should be ready and willing to answer tough questions.
— A Conservatarian Named Jeff ?? (@JeffOnTheRight) December 21, 2017
But what fun is it to be a famous talking head if you can’t control the conversation?
You spent hundreds of dollars to go to that clown show?
— Dan Smith (@danhsmith73) December 21, 2017
Some conservative students like political clown shows. I know I certainly did when I was in college.
Tomi is a ❄️❄️❄️❄️
— Ryan (@RyanECU) December 21, 2017
Translation:
Jon, what makes you think Chloe was trying to troll Tomi? Her question seemed rather genuine and well thought out.
She has become quite the snowflake since she tried to coin the term.
How, specifically, is this a violation of your free speech? When were you made a criminal for the things you wanted to say?
— Carl (@Ruppman) December 21, 2017
I agree with you, Carl. This wasn’t a violation of her free speech. It is, sadly, a hindrance to our movement though. Part of being a glorified talking head is knowing your positions forward and backwards and why you feel the way you do about a particular issue.
https://twitter.com/missbrillscake/status/943983185494401026
Well, that’s one quite unconventional way of putting it, I suppose.
Although people were quick to react to Knox’s thread, this thread is probably the most interesting:
While I agree with your stance on abortion, they didn't deny you free speech. If they control the forum in a private setting, they are allowed to let whoever they want speak.
— Matthew K. ?? (@nightsinsata) December 21, 2017
You’re right. TPUSA has a right to choose who can and cannot speak, what questions will and will not be answered and who the speakers will and will not be. The problem is this: if someone is a talking head, like Lahren, they need to be able to put their money where their mouth is. If they’re going to go on political tangents on a major cable news network then they need to be able to answer questions about their stances and in this case, their character (or lack thereof, depending on how you look at it).
It’s unfair for these television personalities to go on air and make comments but never address them afterwards. If you want to be in the public eye then you’re in the public eye. All. The. Time. Not when you choose to be.
https://twitter.com/j_baylorcook/status/943977635901734913
BINGO.
Throw TheBlaze’s Lawrence Jones into the mix and things get even more heated.
Don’t give a platform to people that can only recites the latest talking points & then be shocked when they can’t adequately defend their position on the issues.
— Lawrence B. Jones III (@LawrenceBJones3) December 21, 2017
PRECISELY.
Got to love when you get subtweeted, right Tomi?
https://twitter.com/willi_g98/status/944016681491410944
Again, hold their feet to the fire. ALL of them.
This is a subtweet against former Blaze pundit @TomiLahren who refused to answer numerous questions regarding her stance on abortion at a speaking event tonight https://t.co/AUXWWo30d5
— Caleb Ecarma (@calebecarma) December 22, 2017
Shots. Fired.
TPUSA and Lahren are outspoken proponents of free speech and not having safe zones or censorship of “uncomfortable” topics. There is hypocrisy here. That’s the problem.
— Chloe Knox (@knoxknoxwhosder) December 21, 2017
TPUSA and Lahren are outspoken proponents of free speech. I will say this though: TPUSA can’t force Tomi to answer any question that she doesn’t want to. Just because she’s a speaker at a conference of theirs doesn’t mean that they control her line of questioning or comments. In fact, if anyone chooses what questions a speaker will take it’s the speaker him or herself or their publicist. Very rarely do organizations get this kind of say (if ever).
Between this @JaneMayerNYer piece and @TomiLahren refusing to take questions about her pro-choice stance at #SAS2017, now would be a good time for @charliekirk11 to publicly address us campus conservatives who've put our necks on the line to advance @TPUSA's message.
— Tiana Lowe (@TianaTheFirst) December 22, 2017
TPUSA now has some explaining to do, according to some conservatives.
The best part? This liberal idiot who tried to troll Knox but made herself look even stupider.
https://twitter.com/diana_safina/status/944003314345234432
I never understand Liberals who make these kinds of arguments. What kind of woman is Chloe? Is it her being white? Is it her being conservative? Is it her being pro-life? Please, define what kind of woman she is so we know what part of her you’re against.
To make things more interesting, Tomi decided to block Chloe.
So now I’m now blocked from @TomiLahren Wow. Not only not taking questions, but cowering out and blocking those who dare to question her basic talking points. #SAS2017 pic.twitter.com/eakWNiTxyO
— Chloe Knox (@knoxknoxwhosder) December 22, 2017
Feeling guilty much, Tomi?
UPDATE: 9pm EST
Allie Stuckey decided to address the situation in a subtweet:
Feel this needs to be said: Tomi & I get contrasted often. I appreciate the kind words. I do disagree w/ her on a lot. Fact is, we are just different people. She's got what works for her. (I would tag her & wish her well but she blocked me for unknown reasons a while ago ?)
— Allie Beth Stuckey (@conservmillen) December 22, 2017
It’s not fair for Allie to constantly be lumped in with Tomi because A) they’re both blonde and B) because they both were/are at TheBlaze at one point in time.
Fans quickly backed Stuckey and talked about why they can’t stand Tomi.
She's the ultimate conservative snowflake
— Zachary (@ZJRitchie) December 22, 2017
Maybe she need her own snowflake award.
She hate you 'cause she ain't you… #MakeYourOwnPath #ProtectLife #UnbornLivesMatter #MAGA pic.twitter.com/W6KXipFdZi
— Patrick Beck ?? (@realpatrickbeck) December 22, 2017
That she blocked you is enough irony in itself! 😉 merry christmas
— M.R. (@ViennaCovfefe) December 22, 2017
TRUTH.
I listened to Tomi when she was on the blaze, simply because I am a subscriber and its content I have access too, but I just feel she can't articulate her point without getting demeaning, and in that, she loses validity. It's annoying, because she can make a good point.
— Fritz -of- FritzCast (@FritzQS) December 22, 2017
Maybe she thinks being demeaning is “educating” people?
https://twitter.com/pacelattin/status/944023063267389441
‘Nuff said.
UPDATE: 11:30pm EST
Charlie Kirk, the president and founder of TPUSA, personally apologized to Knox.
I would like to personally thank @charliekirk11 for meeting with me and apologizing for TPUSA’s mistake. I know he will fight to ensure that censorship won’t happen again at his events. #SAS2017
— Chloe Knox (@knoxknoxwhosder) December 22, 2017
Because of this, Kirk received applause from fellow conservatives.
https://twitter.com/elliegrace_h/status/944030574502645761
Sorry this happened to you today, girl. Glad Charlie apologized for the mistake. Good for you for trying to ask a very important question. TPUSA = Free Speech, not ignoring the questions you don’t like/don’t want to answer. Great job of defending the unborn.
— Ginny Robinson (@realginnyrobins) December 22, 2017
Others were still fed up with the situation.
Sounds like he only spoke with you because of all the support you’re getting on Twitter, to cover his ass and after the fact that a speaker blocked you. That’s totally unfortunate.
— Brandon Aragón (@postsbybrandon) December 22, 2017
Eh…hopefully that’s not the case.
https://twitter.com/SouthernKeeks/status/944060482419347456
Kimberly kind of, sort of, has a point though…
Important thread ⬇️ There are so many so-called conservative student orgs who claim to champion the free exchange of ideas on college campuses…. except when it applies to themselves. Go to a @yaf conference. This won’t happen https://t.co/DyHVakdy5y
— Gabby Orr (@GabbyOrr_) December 22, 2017
Ouch.
The sooner people stop trying to pretend Tomi is a conservative or has anything worthwhile to say, the better. She brings publicity, noise, and headaches…not ideas or thoughtful discussions. https://t.co/XZdNzrRQuz
— Sarah Rumpf (@rumpfshaker) December 22, 2017
Sarah, you might just be onto something.
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