TCU Responds to Controversy Over Cancelled TPUSA Event

Fort Worth, Texas — Texas Christian University (TCU) on Wednesday disputed claims that it canceled a Turning Point USA (TPUSA) event featuring Chloe Cole, a prominent de-transitioner. The university’s statement came after reports sparked backlash and reactions from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Rep. Chip Roy.

“On September 18, TCU successfully hosted a TPUSA event to honor the life of Charlie Kirk, who had previously spoken on TCU’s campus to students and the community,” a TCU spokesperson said. “Separate from this event, an outside party, not affiliated with TCU, invited an external speaker to appear on our campus on Oct. 7.”

The spokesperson added that this outside group requested to host the event for 700 to 1,000 attendees but that the requested space was already reserved for another student event. TCU explored options before notifying the group on September 25 of the scheduling conflict, offering to assist in finding another date or location.

“TCU never canceled this event as it was never booked,” the statement concluded. Attorney General Paxton expressed concern about the situation, stating, “This doesn’t look like free speech to me.”

In support of Cole, Rep. Roy remarked on social media, “Expect an inquiry as to why she’s not welcomed by you,” referring to TCU’s decision. Following the backlash, TCU officials reached out to Paxton’s office to clarify the situation but reported they had not yet received a response.

Cole, who discusses her experiences with transitioning and de-transitioning, stated that TCU had complicated the planning of the TPUSA event. She criticized universities for limiting free speech, calling for support from Christian institutions to uphold democratic dialogue. “They denied our 10/7 event despite many rooms being available, when pressed they said, ‘this is not open for discussion. This is how free speech dies,’” she wrote on social media.

Fox News Digital reached out to both Cole and TPUSA for further comments. The university continues to face scrutiny over its policies regarding speakers on campus.