Chris Tillen, Contributing Photographer

In the first major event hosted by Yale College Republicans, Michael Knowles ’12 discussed conservatism in the country and on Yale’s campus. 

Knowles is a conservative commentator who works for The Daily Wire and “The Michael Knowles Show,” a daily podcast. At the event, he discussed his opposition to mass immigration and transgender identity, as well as the role of finding the truth in college education. 

“Frivolous people see freedom in openness or diversity … serious people, serious schools, serious societies see the truth because they know that only the truth can set us free,” said Knowles. 

The event hosted in SSS 114 drew a crowd of up to 200, per Yale College Republicans, and included heavy security. Attendees were not allowed to bring bags and had to pass through a metal detector stick before entering. Knowles was flanked by security guards as he walked onto the stage.

The event was hosted by Yale College Republicans, with additional support from Young America’s Foundation and the William F. Buckley campus Lecture Series. It was opened with a speech from Yale College Republicans president Manu Anpalagan ’26, in which Anpalagan outlined the mission and goals of the newly revived organization. 

“This isn’t just a club for conservatives. It’s a club for everyone who wants to put the American people first,” said Anpalagan, describing Yale College Republicans as an organization that speaks for common sense and for common people.

Knowles began by addressing news that Yale professor Jason Stanley is leaving Yale and America for a position at Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. Knowles targeted Stanley’s assertions that President Donald Trump is a fascist, claiming that Stanley’s argument that Trump is using the state to target political opponents is actually characteristic of the Democratic Party.

Knowles’s speech argued that truth is the fundamental purpose of a university, rather than keeping a completely open mind and exploring all new ideas. Knowles also argued that universities have lost their common sense, saying that the average American voter does not have a college degree but is closer to the truth than educated elites.

Knowles related this idea to gender identity, discussing transgender rights as a “litmus test for common sense.”

“If a politician cannot tell the difference between a man and a woman, why should anyone think that his judgment would function well when it comes to the economy or national security or immigration or anything else,” said Knowles.

Following the event, Knowles fielded questions on topics ranging from the future of education in America to one comparing abortion to slavery. Many of these questions centered on immigration and American identity.

In response to the first question, Knowles stated that immigration threatens America as a place, a people and a cultural tradition. 

“We need to drastically reduce all immigration. That’s what most people want,” said Knowles. 

Responding to a later question, Knowles stated that immigrants should have “humility and gratitude” rather than demanding change within the country.

In light of a question on one of his past statements, Knowles affirmed his previous stance that abortion is worse than slavery. 

“Torrent murder, especially to murder the most innocent person you can imagine, [is worse] than servitude, even if servitude is bad, too” said Knowles. 

Zach Pan ’27 asked a question regarding the Great Replacement theory, a conspiracy theory that asserts that non-white immigrants are systematically “replacing” white Europeans. In his question, Pan cited that the Anti-Defamation League classifies the Great Replacement theory as antisemitic. Pan asked if Knowles stood by the previous support of the theory. 

Knowles’ response affirmed his backing of the Great Replacement theory, arguing that Democrats are actively acknowledging that they are replacing white American workers with immigrants. 

“The Great Replacement theory is vile and the fact that Mr. Knowles doubled down on perpetuating it is shameful,” said Pan in a later interview with the News.

Knowles and Pan debate one-on-one

Following the speaker event and the Q&A, Pan and Knowles met to further discuss immigration policy.

In the 20 minute discussion, which was filmed by Knowles’ team, Knowles and Pan clashed on what the purpose of the country was, and what duty America has to refugees and asylum seekers.

In the debate, Pan cited both moral and economic reasons for welcoming additional immigrants. Meanwhile, Knowles argued for limited immigration and cited assimilation concerns, arguing that America has slid from when it had a national language of English.

After the event, Knowles noted, “It’s lovely that people came out to listen, even to a politically unpopular opinion on campus.” 

Michael Knowles’ Youtube channel has 2.3 million subscribers.

Correction, April 7: A previous version of the article underestimated attendance at the event.