Controversy Erupts Over Commencement Speaker at Utah Valley University
An educator who brands herself as 'America's government teacher' and faced backlash for criticising Charlie Kirk following his assassination has been selected as the commencement speaker at the very institution where he was murdered. Sharon McMahon was announced as Utah Valley University's graduation speaker in late March, with the university also planning to confer upon her an honorary doctorate degree.
Outrage Over Deleted Social Media Posts
Conservatives and the university's Turning Point USA chapter have expressed significant outrage after resurfacing since-deleted tweets by McMahon in the aftermath of the September 10, 2025 killing of Kirk. In her statements, McMahon remarked, 'Millions of people feel they were harmed, and the murder that was horrific and should never have happened does not magically erase what was said or done.' She further elaborated, 'To many Americans, especially if you are Black, LGBTQ or Muslim, Charlie Kirk was not a person who simply engaged in good-faith debates on college campuses.'
Although McMahon removed these tweets, she continues to frequently share content on social media that is critical of former President Donald Trump and conservative ideologies. This ongoing activity has fuelled the controversy surrounding her appointment.
Political Figures Voice Strong Opposition
Utah Senator Mike Lee publicly condemned the university's decision in a post that was retweeted by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. Senator Lee posed pointed questions, stating, 'What if Charlie Kirk had been a beloved figure on the left, rather than among conservatives? And what if Sharon McMahon were a conservative - one who had defamed Charlie Kirk immediately after his horrific assassination at UVU? Would UVU have scheduled her to speak at commencement? Not in a million years. Not in ten million years.'
He emphatically added, 'So why does UVU think this is okay? It's not,' underscoring his belief that the selection is inappropriate given the circumstances.
Local and National Criticism Intensifies
Caleb Chilcutt, president of the Utah Valley University TPUSA chapter, strongly criticised the decision in an interview with Fox News. He expressed his dismay, saying, 'They could have brought any other speaker. If they liked Charlie, didn't like Charlie — I honestly don't really care. But the fact they brought someone who was so critical, literally days after the assassination on my campus, is just shameful for me.'
Adding to the chorus of disapproval, former Utah Congressman Jason Chaffetz, now a commentator for the network, labelled McMahon a 'liberal hack' and called for her disinvitation. Chaffetz argued, 'Look, there's still time to correct this. This hasn't happened. And if the university is gonna step up and do the right thing, they're gonna cancel her and put in somebody like an astronaut or an athlete or somebody, anybody. But this person, this partisan hack, she should not be addressing the students, not at the commencement.'
University Leadership Defends the Selection
In contrast, Utah Valley University President Astrid S. Tuminez defended the choice in a statement announcing McMahon's role. She praised McMahon, stating, 'Sharon McMahon is an original. She is a force of nature and a force for good. As a former history teacher, she understands that education can inform, inspire, and instigate courageous action.' President Tuminez further emphasised, 'Our graduates are very lucky to have her as commencement speaker!'
McMahon herself responded to the honour, expressing gratitude: 'I am deeply grateful for this honor from UVU, whose work reflects the very best of what education can do: expand opportunity, strengthen communities, and prepare people to serve the world around them. It is a privilege to be recognized by an institution with that kind of impact.'
Background on the Tragic Incident
Charlie Kirk, aged 31, was fatally shot while delivering a speech to students at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025. The alleged shooter, Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old who did not attend the university, was arrested in connection with the crime. Robinson is currently facing capital murder charges and could potentially receive a death sentence for Kirk's murder.
The Daily Mail has reached out to both Sharon McMahon and Utah Valley University for additional comments, but responses are still pending as the debate continues to unfold.
