Turning Point USA Fumes as Baylor Limits Access to Tom Homan Event

Turning Point USA is in a heated dispute with Baylor University in Waco, Texas, following allegations that the university barred the public and media from attending a recent event.

The event, part of the grassroots organization’s “This is the Turning Point Tour,” featured Tom Homan, former border czar under President Trump, alongside Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and podcaster Benny Johnson. Although the gathering took place at Waco Hall, tensions flared over the exclusion of non-students.

“Instead of embracing the Waco community and Baylor alumni, the university denied entry to all non-students at our event tonight, forcing us to inform 4,500 ticket holders not to attend,” stated TPUSA spokesman Andrew Kolvet on X.

He further criticized the university for allowing an LGBTQ counter-event after complaints from progressive students, questioning, “What gives, Baylor?”

The Baylor Lariat, the campus newspaper, reported that press access was also denied, a decision attributed to the university’s concern for student welfare.

A representative from TPUSA expressed disappointment, saying, “This event was meant to be open to both students and the local Waco community. In a close-knit town like Waco, where the university is central, it seems odd not to include everyone.”

They added that a venue large enough to accommodate all ticket holders was secured, only for school administrators to ultimately deny access. “It’s disheartening for the 4,500 who can’t come, but we’ll ensure that Border Czar Homan, AG Paxton, and Benny Johnson give our students the attention they deserve,” they concluded.

However, Baylor’s Vice President for Student Life, Sharra Hynes, countered TPUSA’s claims, stating to The Independent: “The university clearly communicated from the start that attendance would be limited to students, faculty, and staff, plus 125 invited guests from the organizing group.”

A spokesperson for Baylor clarified that media credentialing was solely TPUSA's responsibility and that the university played no part in that process.

The event proceeded with over 400 attendees despite initial controversies. Originally slated to feature Donald Trump Jr., Paxton stepped in due to scheduling conflicts.

During their speeches, both Paxton and Johnson honored Charlie Kirk, TPUSA’s co-founder who was tragically killed last fall. Paxton remarked on Kirk’s willingness to take risks while Johnson highlighted Kirk’s vision of unity and his influence on young men’s faith.

Homan took the stage to discuss the Trump administration's immigration policies, emphasizing the dangers posed by Mexican drug cartels. He accused media outlets of attempting to vilify ICE and asserted that “walls save lives.” He expressed concern over “2 million known got-aways” still unaccounted for in the U.S.

“At 3 a.m., while you're sleeping, there’s a green uniform standing on a dirt trail somewhere, protecting this nation,” he assured the audience. He dismissed concerns about being labeled a racist, stating: “I don’t give a s*** what people think of me… If you let them affect you like that, they win.”

Baylor senior David Lugo commented post-event: “Regardless of your political stance—Democrat, independent, or Republican—having someone who leads that department in the U.S. is beneficial for everyone.”