Security Concerns At UF Ahead Of Speech By Donald Trump Jr.

Donald Jr. And Eric Trump Attend Opening Of Trump Tower And Hotel In Vancouver

The President's eldest son is set to speak at the University of Florida Thursday evening, but the event is not without controversy.

Protests are expected on campus ahead of a speech from Donald Trump Jr. and his girlfriend, former Fox News host Kimberly Guilfoyle, who is a senior adviser on President Trump's reelection campaign.

UF's ACCENT Speakers Bureau distributed free tickets to students and they were reportedly gone within four hours.

Students and boosters have been taking to social media to express their displeasure, some comparing Trump Junior to white nationalist Richard Spencer, who spoke there in 2017, but was drowned out by chants from protesters.

Hundreds have indicated on a Facebook page that they will be at a protest being held outside the UF auditorium before and during the speech, which takes place at 7 p.m.

Some have even said they would use tickets to get inside and then heckle the speakers.

Protest organizers say students' safety is being put at risk because of what they call the Trump administration's "racist, homophobic and xenophobic rhetoric." They're demanding the event be canceled or that students be provided excused absences.

Henry Fair, Chairman of ACCENT Speakers Bureau, confirmed on Wednesday that the speech had not been canceled.

Trump Jr. and Guilfoyle are being paid $50,000 for the speech, funded by student activity fees, not tuition. That amount is a little over half of the $95,000 paid to investor and "Shark Tank" panelist Kevin O'Leary back in March. Rapper Pitbull was paid $130,000 to speak at the school last year.

University officials point to the institution's "Freedom of Expression" statement, which says they are committed to "ensuring that a wide variety of viewpoints are heard on campus as well as to protecting the First Amendment rights of all those in attendance."

Photo: Getty Images


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