Daily Wire Editor-in-Chief Ben Shapiro spoke at a conservative event Tuesday night at Ohio State University, prompting liberal student activists to chant, "Reagan’s dead" and "John McCain’s dead."
Shapiro's speech was part of a campus lecture tour sponsored by Young America’s Foundation where he travels to various universities across the country to speak to both conservative college students and students who do not agree with him.
"Now more than ever, conservative ideas are in demand on college campuses. And despite the Left’s best efforts, Shapiro continues to reach capacity campus audiences and millions more online," YAF's website reads. "These powerful events are the result of combining Young America’s Foundation’s logistical expertise and financial support with Shapiro’s concise, compelling conservative message. It is a message young people are eager to hear."
Emily Jashinsky, a reporter for the Federalist and a member of YAF's board of directors, obtained footage of some of the protesters chanting outside Shapiro's event.
New video from @YAF show @benshapiro protesters at OSU chanting "John McCain's dead." Story in @FDRLST https://t.co/SMEjbeyDr9 pic.twitter.com/HzDK30RhF3
— Emily Jashinsky (@emilyjashinsky) November 14, 2018
The Daily Wire also captured footage of several protesters chanting, "Fuck Ben Shapiro" repeatedly.
*Warning: Graphic Language*@BenShapiro is welcomed to Ohio State with thoughtful, nuanced arguments by a small group of totally sane ppl. pic.twitter.com/TbWRTTFFdy
— The Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) November 14, 2018
Shapiro found out what they were chanting during his speech, prompting him to tell the crowd that "Apparently there are protesters outside shouting ‘f*** Ben Shapiro.’ To which I say, 'No thanks, but I’m married," the Daily Wire reported.
Ohio State’s Morrill Scholars Program’s student advisory council sent out a message to students before the event on Tuesday, according to YAF, warning them about Shapiro's "rhetoric" and how it "has the potential to threaten the emotional and mental safety of much of the campus community."
"If you do not feel comfortable around a climate that will be created by Ben Shapiro’s presence, we encourage you to seek a safe environment for yourself. Knowing the hostile environment that can result from these kinds of events, we encourage you to seek an inclusive environment and reach out to talk with someone," the letter read. "If you do not have a safe space or prefer not to be alone, please feel free to join other Morrill Scholars and our staff on the MSP learning community on the third floor of Blackburn House tonight from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thank you and stay safe."
This is not the first time Shapiro has triggered outrage from liberal students on a college campus for expressing his conservative views. He spoke at UC Berkley last September, which sparked outrage among students on the left. While the protests were mostly peaceful, 9 people were arrested and the security costs were estimated to be around $600,000.
Shapiro will speak at the University of Pittsburgh Wednesday night, according to YAF's website.