UPDATE: This story has been updated to include a statement from the Young America’s Foundation (YAF) and Washington Lee YAF chapter.
A conservative commentator known for being vocal about transgender issues has postponed an upcoming speech at Washington and Lee University (W&L) after threats targeted his family, according to a Wednesday Twitter thread.
Matt Walsh, host of “The Matt Walsh Show” at the Daily Wire, was scheduled to speak at the Virginia university on March 30 to showcase his documentary “What Is A Woman,” which features several interviews diving into the gender identity debate. Walsh postponed the event on Wednesday and said he is unable to leave the state because of threats toward his family. (RELATED: Professor Suspended After Writing That Killing ‘Right-Wing’ Speakers Is ‘Admirable’)
“Sadly I have to postpone my speech at Washington and Lee University,” Walsh tweeted. “Due to threats against my family and other serious security concerns in Nashville this week, I cannot leave my family and fly to another state. I hate to push the event off but my wife and kids come first.”
Sadly I have to postpone my speech at Washington and Lee University. Due to threats against my family and other serious security concerns in Nashville this week, I cannot leave my family and fly to another state. I hate to push the event off but my wife and kids come first.
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) March 29, 2023
He clarified that the threat was not from the W&L community and that all that was expected were potential protests. The threats were made at Walsh’s home in Nashville, Tennessee.
In case it wasn’t clear, this has nothing to do with Washington and Lee University. The event was coming together well and everything was perfectly fine. May have been some protests planned but nothing major. The potential danger is at home, which is why I need to be at home.
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) March 29, 2023
Walsh did not specify what threats he is defending against, but assured that they make him “more determined” to fight against radical gender ideology. He promised that he would not be silenced, but also would not let threats harm his wife or children.
The threats to my family only make me more determined to fight this evil. I will not let any harm come to my children or my wife. And I will not let these psychopaths scare me into silence. Neither of those things will ever happen, I promise you.
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) March 29, 2023
The event was supposed to be hosted by the College Republican chapter and sponsored by Young America’s Foundation, according to the student group’s Instagram page.
“We completely understand Matt’s decision to postpone tomorrow’s speech. His duties as a husband and father, as well as the safety of his family, come first,” Michael McGonigle, YAF spokesperson, told the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Walsh has spoken at several other universities as part of his spring college tour.
“We do not yet have a date determined to reschedule, but continue to work with the W&L administration, YAF, and the Daily Wire moving forward,” the College Republicans chapter told the DCNF. “We are saddened by the fact that Mr. Walsh’s family has been the subject of such inexcusable behavior and hope they will continue to be safe and protected.”
ThTwitter users accused Walsh of “letting them win,” to which Walsh responded to one account that he is “in this fight every day while also doing what I need to do to protect my wife and six children.”
W&L and Walsh did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
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