THE DAILY BS: HOW MUCH CAN YOU HANDLE?
SPARE ME THE BS (I’ve got things to do)
- A top-hat-wearing activist was arrested Tuesday after allegedly striking three people with a cane during a Turning Point USA event at the University of Texas at Tyler.
- Video shows the individual shouting profanity, calling participants fascists, tearing down an American flag and threatening others with the cane before police intervened.
- University President Julie Philley confirmed the attacker was not a UT Tyler student. Campus police arrested the individual and barred a return to the university. No injuries were reported.
LAY IT ON ME (I’ve got time)
A Turning Point USA event in Texas took an ugly turn Tuesday when a man wearing a top hat and swinging a cane decided that political disagreement required a little physical participation.
The confrontation unfolded during the conservative organization’s “Pick Up the Mic” event at the University of Texas at Tyler, where participants were inviting students to discuss political issues.
Apparently, someone forgot to explain that the microphone was for speaking, not a preliminary warm-up before swinging a walking stick.
Video released by Turning Point USA shows the unidentified individual confronting the group, calling participants “fascist pieces of sh*t” and striking at people with a prop cane.
Three people were allegedly assaulted, including a Turning Point USA field representative and two students.
The attacker then ripped an American flag from the organization’s display.
“Y’all don’t deserve this,” he declared before throwing the flag to the ground.
When others objected, he raised the cane again and shouted for them to back away.
A bystander eventually intervened as the confrontation escalated. Campus police arrived and placed the individual in handcuffs.
And that’s when the day’s most remarkable statement arrived.
“Freedom of speech does not mean freedom from consequences,” the attacker declared while being arrested.
An interesting interpretation of the First Amendment from someone whose political argument had just involved swinging a cane at other people.
The individual subsequently apologized to an officer and claimed he had been “backed into a corner.”
University President Julie Philley later confirmed that the person arrested was not a student at UT Tyler, correcting initial reports describing the attacker as enrolled there.
“Everyone has the right to free speech, and violence will not be tolerated at this university,” the administration said.
Police transported the suspect to the county jail for processing and issued a criminal-trespass warning barring a return to campus.
Turning Point USA reported that nobody was injured. Specific criminal charges had not been independently confirmed in the reporting available Wednesday morning.
The encounter comes as conservative campus organizations continue holding public debates following the September 2025 assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.
The Tyler event was supposed to give people an opportunity to argue politics.
The police ended up having the final word.
DBS WIRE SOURCES
- KLTV — University president confirms attacker was not a student and was barred from campus
- Mediaite — Video of the attack, flag incident and arrest
- Townhall — Turning Point USA event and video footage
- The College Fix — Reactions and additional campus details
