OSU Student Joshua Wilson Claims University Staff Tried to Silence Him for Wearing a “Trump 47” Hat During a Tribute to Conservative Activist Charlie Kirk
Joshua Wilson, a student government leader at Oklahoma State University, says a simple tribute speech for conservative activist Charlie Kirk turned into a chilling moment of political intimidation. Wilson, who serves as the chair of OSU’s Student Government Association, says he was reprimanded by a university staff member after giving a speech in honor of Kirk — a conservative figure and Turning Point USA founder who was recently killed during an event in Utah. The experience, Wilson says, has only made him more determined to speak his mind.
Wilson’s short speech, delivered earlier this month, focused on leadership, faith, and dialogue — not politics. He praised Kirk’s advocacy for open debate on college campuses and called him “a Christian man who believed in free speech and never backed down from defending his principles.” The controversy began when Wilson wore a white Turning Point USA cap featuring the number “47,” a symbol often associated with Donald Trump’s potential return to the White House as the 47th president.
Shortly after the event, Wilson was summoned by Melisa Echols, the coordinator of student government affairs at OSU. According to Wilson, Echols warned that his decision to wear the hat could make the rest of the school year “difficult” and accused him of violating SGA’s nonpartisan guidelines. “I saw it as a veiled threat,” Wilson told reporters. “I wasn’t campaigning. I wasn’t endorsing anyone. I was honoring someone who meant a lot to conservative students across the country.”
The incident has drawn national attention, especially after the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), a nonpartisan free speech watchdog, condemned the university’s handling of the situation. The organization warned that such reprimands can have a “chilling effect” on student speech, particularly for those holding minority political views. “No student should fear punishment for expressing their beliefs, especially at a public university bound by the First Amendment,” FIRE said in a statement.
Wilson said the meeting left him shocked but unbroken. “Instead of silencing me, it gave me more strength,” he said. “If people like me back down, then the people trying to censor free thought win.” He has since received support from conservative student groups nationwide, including Turning Point USA and the Oklahoma College Republicans, who have rallied behind his call for transparency and accountability on campus.
Oklahoma State University has since released a statement clarifying that the Student Government Association’s nonpartisan tradition does not prohibit individual political expression. “The university remains committed to protecting students’ First Amendment rights,” the statement read, while confirming that no disciplinary action had been taken against Wilson.
Still, Wilson believes the damage is done. He says the encounter reflects a larger culture of fear that discourages conservative voices from speaking openly on college campuses. “If wearing a hat or honoring someone you respect is considered controversial, what does that say about the state of free speech in America?” he asked. “We’re supposed to be the next generation of leaders, but how can we lead if we’re afraid to speak?”
As the debate continues, Wilson remains resolute. He says he will continue to advocate for free speech and fair treatment for all students, regardless of their political affiliation. “This isn’t about me,” he said. “It’s about every student who’s been told to sit down and be quiet because their opinions don’t fit the narrative. That ends now.”
