Oklahoma State University – Joshua Wilson

Summary

Joshua Wilson, a junior at Oklahoma State University who served in student government and other campus organizations, gave remarks on September 10, 2025, during a Student Government Association meeting held the day conservative activist Charlie Kirk was killed. In his short speech, Wilson described Kirk as “a father, a husband, a devout Christian, and a shining light for so many,” and urged students of all beliefs to remember that “true progress begins with dialogue.” He wore a Turning Point USA hat bearing the numbers “45” and “47,” which had been given to him by Kirk earlier that year. His remarks did not mention former President Donald Trump or endorse any political candidate or party.

On September 17, 2025, Wilson was called to meet with SGA Programs Coordinator Melisa Echols, who told him that wearing the hat made his remarks a “partisan event” and that this violated the SGA’s nonpartisan expectations. Echols said the hat could make people uncomfortable and told Wilson that some students “don’t look like you” and “have family who have been triggered by those hats and by that side.” She advised him to “talk to people that don’t look like you” and warned, “this year is going to be difficult for you.” Echols added that she wanted Wilson to consider “the people in the room” and “how it makes others feel” when he chose to wear that hat. Wilson, who is Cherokee, said the meeting left him feeling targeted because of his beliefs. OSU officials later stated that while the SGA maintains a tradition of nonpartisanship, there is no written rule prohibiting students from expressing political views.

On October 9, 2025, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression sent a letter to OSU stating that the university’s response risked chilling student speech protected under the First Amendment. The group wrote that the SGA’s “nonpartisan tradition” does not override students’ constitutional rights and called on the university to make clear that students may express political views while participating in student government. OSU responded that it remained committed to free expression and that staff advising student organizations had been reminded of relevant guidance.

Following public reporting of the incident, Wilson said that the warning he received would not silence him and that he planned to continue speaking on campus.