Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry shook social media Monday night after posting a video on X calling for Louisiana State University to put up a statue of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Landry’s proposal came just hours after Turning Point USA — the organization Kirk founded — hosted an event on campus, where the governor himself spoke.
Landry said in his post, “We’re going to put a challenge out to the LSU Board of Supervisors to find a place to put a statue of Charlie Kirk to defend the freedom of speech on college campuses. Come on ladies and gentlemen. Let’s see if we can be the first campus to do it.”
That one clip set off a firestorm online, especially among LSU students and alumni. Many couldn’t understand why a politician would push for a statue of such a polarizing figure — especially on a campus that represents the heart of Louisiana’s culture and diversity.
Flau’Jae Johnson’s Subtle But Powerful Reaction Goes Viral
LSU women’s basketball star Flau’Jae Johnson didn’t need a long caption to make a statement. She simply quote-tweeted Landry’s post with a “????” — and that was all it took to get the internet talking.
Her subtle reaction sparked a mix
of emotions, with fans rushing to her mentions. Some backed her up for standing her ground, while others came for her — hard. Eventually, she restricted who could reply to the post.
Before that, one commenter fired off saying, “You lost a fan tonight with all this race baiting [expletive]. Just when I think I find a real one, she’s a race baiter like the rest of em. All y’all do is divide. You just like all the other sistas.”
Flau’Jae wasn’t fazed. She hit back with a calm, cold “bye.”
Another user chimed in, “He just hid behind the ‘free speech’ moniker to be hateful and awful towards his fellow human beings.”
The LSU star didn’t say much after that, but the message was clear — she wasn’t about to let her platform be used to praise someone whose legacy is soaked in division.
Charlie Kirk’s Legacy Sparks Debate On Free Speech And Accountability
Charlie Kirk, who founded Turning Point USA, has long been a lightning rod for controversy. While many conservatives praise him for “defending free speech,” others argue that his rhetoric often crosses lines of respect and inclusion.
Before his tragic death in Utah last month, Kirk faced repeated backlash for his comments on race, gender, and politics. Critics say his brand of “free speech” often gave cover to harmful stereotypes and hate-driven discourse.
Governor Landry’s push to honor him with a statue at LSU didn’t just reignite those old debates — it spotlighted the growing divide between political power and cultural sensitivity.
Flau’Jae Johnson: From Hoops Star To Voice For Her Generation
Flau’Jae Johnson isn’t just a baller; she’s a force. From dropping bars in the booth to dominating the court, the LSU guard has been breaking barriers since day one.
A key part of LSU’s national championship win in 2023, Flau’Jae was named first-team All-SEC last year. Beyond basketball, she’s used her platform to speak on empowerment, race, and social awareness — never shying away from hard conversations.
Her response to the statue controversy wasn’t random. It reflected a broader frustration many young Black athletes feel when politics collides with the spaces they worked hard to build.
She’s shown that it’s possible to win games, sell records, and still speak truth when it matters. In her own words from a past interview: “I’m not just here to play ball. I’m here to make an impact.”
Public Reactions Show A Deep Divide Over The Statue Proposal
Social media became a battlefield after Landry’s post. Some users echoed the governor’s message, claiming Kirk “stood for American values.” Others said it was tone-deaf for a public university to celebrate a man with such a controversial track record.