Marquette University threatens to rescind a student’s acceptance over pro-Trump TikTok video

Samantha Pfefferle captioned the video, “When the libs find their way to your page.” A Trump 2020 “Keep America Great” flag is shown flying in her house’s window and a makeshift “Marquette University 2020” sign is placed directly below.

July 8, 2020

The phrases “When people see that I support Trump,” “Then try to hate on me,” and “And think I’ll change my views,” overlay her dancing to rapper 6ix9ine’s GOOBA as she mouths the lyrics “He’s mad. She’s’ mad. Big sad. Haha, don’t care. Stay mad.”

Triggered haters took to the comment section.

“Girl—not mad, just feel sorry for you,” one viewer wrote. “how can i help. she will not be going to college next year,” wrote another. “Free speech does not mean no consequences,” commented one user. “i love love LOVE conservatives getting their school offers revoked,” another added.

Some moved from censorship to violence.

“I hope you get shot,” another commenter threatened. "I hope you get hit by a semi,” a user echoed. “I’d pray for you but you’re not worth it,” another added.

“I was extremely disappointed by the incendiary comments,” Pfefferle told The College Fix. “The response from my peers has been repulsive.”

Marquette’s dean of undergraduate admissions Brian Troyer had contacted Pfefferle following the posted video, telling her that her acceptance is not certain.

“[He] had the heart to tell me I wasn’t a student,” Pfefferle said. “This means that my classification is still in limbo and is currently being decided by the administration.”

Pfefferle had already received her acceptance letter, paid for her housing, and scheduled her classes. “If that doesn’t make me a student, what does?” she questioned.

Some Marquette administrators challenged Pfefferle with a series of baiting questions meant to judge her character and shame her for her publicity, she said.

University officials asked if she could “improve her image” on campus and if she was comfortable with the “reputation” she had established for herself. The assistant dean even asked if she “put any thought” into the backlash she would receive from her conservative TikTok account.

“They also asked me hypothetical questions regarding Dreamers,” she said. “How would I respond if a Dreamer who lived down the hall from me came up to me and told me she didn’t feel safe or comfortable with my views and me being on campus.”

Marquette did not respond to The College Fix’s multiple requests for comment.

However, a Marquette spokeswoman told Empower Wisconsin that the school had not rescinded Pfefferle’s offer. Although she did mention that the admissions team spoke with Pfefferle about “statements made on her social media accounts.”

Social media crusaders are jumping on the “cancel culture” bandwagon.

An Instagram user had created an email template requesting to have Pfefferle’s admission redacted and calling on others to send the email to Marquette’s administration.

“Samantha Pfefferle is proud of her transphobic and xenophobic opinions, which under no circumstances should be allowed at Marquette,” the copy-and-paste blurb states. “The University can and should make it their priority to ensure students (specifically LGBTQ+, immigrants, first gen, and POC) feel safe, valued, and appreciated on campus.”

However, others rally to support Pfefferle with a Change.org petition, titled “Stop Marquette University From Removing Incoming Conservative Student for Her Beliefs.” To date, the call-to-action has reached over 2,300 signatures.

The petition asked “What precedence are we setting for future conservative generations?” and “What happens when conservative viewpoints are no longer allowed on college campuses?”

These important questions call attention to the growing suppression of conservative voices on liberal college campuses. This school is willing to deny a student her education because of her open political views. The soon-to-be college kid—who is obviously not an official representative of the university—has been bullied, harassed, and threatened for freely expressing herself on TikTok of all platforms. She has been painted as an extremist over her mainstream “Make America Great Again” sentiments.

This cancel culture promoted by Marquette University officials may mark an all-time low in higher education. Perhaps conservatives aren't just the minority on campus; they're also the enemy.