Gov. Landry Urges LSU to Erect Statue of Charlie Kirk, Prompting Debate Over Politics on Campus

BATON ROUGE, LA - October 28, 2025 Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry is calling on Louisiana State University to install a statue honoring the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk, describing him as “a great American and an even better man.” The proposal, however, has quickly ignited debate over political symbolism and the growing influence of partisan figures in public higher education.

Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was known for his outspoken campus tours promoting conservative values - and for the controversies that often followed them. While supporters praise Landry’s push as a fitting tribute to Kirk’s advocacy for free expression, critics argue that immortalizing such a divisive figure on a taxpayer-funded campus risks blurring the line between commemoration and political messaging.

LSU has not confirmed whether it will consider the governor’s request. University officials have so far declined public comment, noting that decisions about campus monuments typically follow community consultation and board review.

The proposal arrives amid broader national disputes over who is memorialized on campuses - and why. For many at LSU, the question may be less about Kirk himself than about whether universities should become stages for the culture wars reshaping American higher education.

*Sources: *https://www.wafb.com/2025/10/28/gov-landry-calls-lsu-put-statue-charlie-kirk-campus/