Union to host Charlie Kirk, Mick Mulvaney and Professor Brian Cox this Michaelmas

Kirk is a controversial figure, serving as CEO of the Students for Trump campaign, and has described universities as ‘islands of totalitarianism’

Charlie Kirk's previous event at the Union was cancelled in 2019 after the group invited their own opposition speakers to a debateGage Skidmore@Flickr

by Michael Hennessey

This article is 3 years old

Monday October 3 2022, 4:54pm

The Cambridge Union will host Donald Trump’s former Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney and the founder of Turning Point USA, Charlie Kirk, this Michaelmas.

The term card also includes Professor Brian Cox and two members of the Vamps. It is set to be released later today (3/10).

Charlie Kirk founded the conservative student group Turning Point USA in 2012 and currently serves as CEO of the Students for Trump campaign. Kirk has previously spoken out against what he sees as “cultural Marxism” on university campuses, describing them as “islands of totalitarianism”.

Kirk has also called George Floyd a “scumbag”, claimed that humans have no impact on climate change and questioned the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine. Kirk also promoted unsubstantiated claims of election fraud after the 2020 election.

The Union was previously set to host Kirk in 2019, before the event was cancelled following controversy over Turning Point securing their own opposition speakers in a debate.

The Union will also host Trump’s former White House Chief of Staff, Mick Mulvaney. Mulvaney resigned from Trump’s administration following the January 6th attack on the US Capitol.

Elsewhere, the term card features Professor Brian Cox, who is set to receive the society’s Stephen Hawking Fellowship. Two members of the Vamps, James Brittain-McVey and Bradley Simpson will also speak at the Union this term.

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Game of Thrones actor Ian McElhinney, musician Trevor Horn and businessman Theo Paphitis were also announced as guests set to address the chamber.

During the term the Union will debate reparations, nationalisation and the compatibility of sex work and feminism.

Michaelmas Union president Lara Brown said: “I’m delighted to announce such a wide ranging and exciting range of Michaelmas events.

“I’m also grateful that we can showcase our wonderfully renovated building with a gallery exhibition to commemorate the work of interpreters in Afghanistan, two spectacular balls, and a series of contentious debates.”

No female speakers were mentioned in the press release.

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