Media Personality Defends Students in Controversy Over Dress Code

Nashville, TN — Media personality Todd Chrisley is speaking out in defense of students at Lipscomb Academy, who she claims were silenced after they attempted to honor late conservative activist Charlie Kirk. During an interview on Thursday, Chrisley criticized the private Christian school for reprimanding students who wore red ties and jackets in Kirk’s memory, calling the administration “cowards.”

“Charlie Kirk died for our freedom and for our right to practice free speech and to practice religion, and unfortunately, Lipscomb Academy has failed drastically,” Chrisley stated. The school cited dress code violations and instructed the students to change their clothes, prompting complaints from both students and parents.

Upper School Head Jesse Savage reportedly requested that the students remove their attire. Chrisley’s comments highlighted the emotional impact of the incident, especially since her sister is a current student at Lipscomb Academy. In response to the backlash, the school allowed affected students to organize a chapel service focused on “being bold and impactful in their faith.”

Despite this, Chrisley argued that no dress code should hinder students’ mourning. She alleged that some students were advised not to mention Kirk’s name during the service. “There’s no dress code that’s worth stifling these kids’ ability to mourn or to love Charlie Kirk,” she said.

Chrisley expressed her commitment to holding the school accountable, stating that she would not withdraw her sister from education at Lipscomb Academy, emphasizing her belief in the school’s core Christian values. “I refuse to leave the problem behind for other kids to have to suffer and deal with,” she asserted.

Chrisley was scheduled to participate in various events with Kirk and Turning Point USA this month but expressed regret over not being able to do so with him. “Charlie gave me a voice when not a lot of people would, and for that I’ll forever be grateful,” she said. “We’re doing this for Charlie. When they silenced his voice, they created a million more.”

Following the controversy, Lipscomb Academy announced that Jesse Savage would be stepping down to become director of academics, a transition the school insisted had been planned prior to the incident, according to The Tennessean. Lipscomb Academy is connected to Lipscomb University and the Churches of Christ, sharing a campus in Nashville.