TPUSA Slams Baylor Over ‘Blocked’ Public Access Wednesday At Waco Event

Turning Point USA is not happy with Baylor University following Wednesday's TPUSA event.

Dispute Deepens Over Turning Point USA Event as Baylor University Faces Claims of "Sabotage" 

What was intended to be a high-profile stop on the "This is the Turning Point Tour" has instead ignited a fierce controversy at Baylor University. Student organizers and representatives from Turning Point USA (TPUSA) are accusing the university administration of attempting to "sabotage" their Wednesday night event at Waco Hall by blocking thousands of community members from attending. 

Read More: Turning Point USA Expands Influence In Texas High Schools 

The Ticket Problem

The event featured a prominent conservative lineup, including Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, former Border Czar Tom Homan, and podcast host Benny Johnson. According to TPUSA, the organization originally designed the event to be open to both the student body and the broader Waco community. However, TPUSA says the university reversed course, effectively denying entry to approximately 4,500 non-student ticket holders. A TPUSA representative told Breitbart News, "We reserved a large enough venue to accommodate all the tickets reserved, only to have the school administrators ultimately deny their entry."  

Baylor Defends Restrictions 

Baylor University administration has pushed back against these claims. Sharra Hynes, Vice President for Student Life, said the university was clear from the outset: the event was designated for students, faculty, and staff, with a small allowance of 125 invited guests for the organizing groups. TPUSA sent letters to thousands of prospective guests apologizing for the "university-specific restrictions" and stating they made every effort to open the doors to the public. 

Mounting Tensions on Campus 

The dispute over attendance is only one facet of the growing friction. TPUSA also alleged that: 

• Trespassing Charges: University officials reportedly "trespassed" TPUSA staffers who were on campus assisting students with promotional flyers. 

• Streaming Ban: The school allegedly prohibited the organization from live streaming the event. 

• Competing Events: TPUSA pointed to the university’s approval of the "All Are Neighbors" counter-event as a sign of institutional bias. 

A University at a Crossroads 

These gatherings occurred against a backdrop of increasing tension between Baylor and the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The Convention recently signaled it might reconsider its longstanding relationship with the university following Baylor’s decision to allow LGBTQ speakers in campus programming, a move that has sparked debate over the Baptist institution's evolving identity.