Wichita State University Tech, an affiliate of Wichita State University in Kansas, canceled Ivanka Trump’s virtual graduation speech following the way that her father, Donald Trump, responded to the murder of George Floyd and the national protests that followed.
The public community college initially announced that Ivanka was the planned speaker for its June 6th virtual commencement. However, the institute swiftly cancelled the appearance the exact same day after immediate backlash.
“In light of the social justice issues brought forth by George Floyd’s death, I understand and take responsibility that the timing of the announcement was insensitive,” WSU Tech President Sheree Utash said in a statement. “For this, I’m sorry that was never the intent, and I want you to know I have heard you, and we are responding.”
Utash explained that the invitation to Ivanka was extended in February, to which the White House adviser offered to record a “congratulatory message to graduates,” which was to be played during the ceremony. On Friday, in response to her cancelled appearance at the ceremony, the 38-year-old released the almost 10-minute prerecorded speech to social media and voiced her disdain for “cancel culture.”
“Our nation’s campuses should be bastions of free speech. Cancel culture and viewpoint discrimination are antithetical to academia. Listening to one another is important now more than ever!” she ranted on Twitter, following the footsteps of her dad, who is notorious for throwing temper tantrums on the social site.
According to a press release following the cancellation, WSU Tech practical nursing graduate Rebecca Zinabu replaced the first daughter. They also said that the ceremony would be restricted and “refocused more centrally on students.”
Here is the message I recorded on May 18th for the Graduates of WSU-Tech. I know that all of these talented graduates will dream big and aspire to make the world a better place!
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) June 5, 2020
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