After Kirk’s audio was cut, a large portion of the crowd lingered to hear him speak and ask him questions. The temperature was 86 degrees when the crowd shifted from under the shade to Kirk’s new position, and by the end of the event many attendees were sweating profusely.

A planned appearance on Penn State’s campus Thursday by conservative media personality Charlie Kirk drew hundreds of supporters, dozens of protesters and accusations about the university shutting down the event early — which the university vehemently denied.

Luke Pieczynski and Cooper Cazares contributed to this report. Conservative activist Charlie Kirk didn’t get much of a chance to speak at his Turning Point USA tour stop at Penn State on Thursday. As Turning Point USA representatives spoke to a crowd at HUB Lawn for several minutes,

Charlie Kirk stopped at Penn State's HUB lawn to hand out hats, sign autographs, and take selfies with supporters on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024.