By Ashlyn Beck | News Editor
Attorney General Ken Paxton will replace Executive Vice President Donald Trump Jr. in the Baylor leg of the TPUSA tour, it was announced Tuesday morning.
The event, originally featuring Trump Jr., “Border Czar” Tom Homan and political commentator Benny Johnson, will now host Paxton, Homan and Johnson. Turning Point USA Baylor posted a new graphic Tuesday morning with Paxton, Homan and Johnson.
“Attorney General Ken Paxton will be joining us for the This is the Turning Point Tour!” the post reads.
When asked Monday afternoon about the change in tour speakers, three Turning Point Baylor members said they could not confirm the news. Turning Point Baylor president Peter Fernandez declined to answer texts and phone calls on the matter, and TPUSA headquarters could not be reached for a statement.
University Spokesperson Lori Fogleman said the TPUSA event preparation has been “fluid,” and has brought requests for different speakers and different venues.
“The Baylor administration’s foremost priority is for these student-led events to be conducted safely for our campus community and carried out in conjunction with University policies and procedures,” Fogleman said. “The situation regarding the TurningPoint USA student event this week has been fluid and challenging with changes in speakers and requests for different venues – both on- and off-campus.”
Paxton is currently running for U.S. Senate, and Baylor’s tax-exempt status requires that the university refrain from using facilities to support any candidate’s run for public office, unless approved by the Office of General Counsel. Paxton’s attendance was approved late Tuesday, and Fogleman said the approval came alongside the acknowledgment that other student organizations will be permitted in the future to host other candidates for U.S. Senate on campus.
“This will ensure alignment with University policy and fairness for all candidates in the U.S. Senate race in Texas,” Fogleman said.
Fogleman emphasized that both TPUSA’s tour and All Are Neighbors have received equal support, resources and restrictions from Baylor.
“Throughout this entire process, it is important to note that the same guidelines, processes, public attendance restrictions, and cost structures have been applied to both the TPUSA and All Are Neighbors events,” Fogleman said.
Turning Point Baylor members continued to advertise the event Monday afternoon with flyers depicting Trump Jr. as the third speaker at the event. The group placed flyers on cars in Dutton Parking Garage and handed them out while tabling on Fountain Mall. As of right now, Turning Point Baylor pinned the post advertising Johnson, Trump Jr. and Homan on its Instagram.
TPUSA and Turning Point Baylor provided no reason why Trump Jr. is no longer attending the event.
