The University of Mississippi chapter of Turning Point USA hosted James Fishback for its “What’s Next For America” event as part of its Pick Up the Mic initiative in the Gertrude C. Ford Ole Miss Student Union on Tuesday, Sept. 19.
Fishback worked as a hedge fund analyst before launching his campaign for governor of Florida in the 2026 election, where he finished third in the Republican primary with 10.5% of the vote, according to NBC 6 South Florida.
Fishback garnered national attention for allegations of sexual misconduct, extreme policy proposals and racially inflammatory remarks. During the Florida Republican primary, he campaigned on traditionally conservative ideologies, including strong support for states’ rights and anti-abortion laws. Fishback also made his Christian faith one of the focal points of his campaign.
“A lot of people will walk out on podiums like this and call themselves ‘principled conservatives,’” Fishback said. “Ask them, ‘Where do you draw your principles from? … The Founding Fathers got their principles really from two places: the Declaration of Independence and the Holy Bible.”
During the Turning Point event, the university’s chapter of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) hosted a protest against Fishback’s presence on campus. SDS said it protested Fishback’s presence on campus because of his alignment with white nationalist figures and past alleged hostile, racial comments.
The protest was small, with only five people attending. The students chanted outside the Gertrude C. Ford Ole Miss Student Union during the first hour of the TPUSA event. Participants chanted, “No hate, no fear, Fishback has no business here” and “racist, sexist, anti-gay: Turning Point USA.”
SDS specifically referenced a viral video in which Fishback told a Black man that he should be “lynched” after he questioned Fishback regarding rumors of alleged sexual relations with a minor.
While the protest drew little turnout, it did garner the attention of other students, as some stopped to film or mock them while they chanted.
Mia Kienburger, a sophomore film production major from Hernando, Miss., attended the protest.
“I decided to show up because I don’t believe racism or any racist figure should be welcomed on campus,” Kienburger said. “I think everyone should be in solidarity against it.”
Kent Tonos, president of the University of Mississippi Turning Point USA chapter, emphasized that Turning Point members did not necessarily agree with Fishback’s past statements, but they invited him to campus to spark conversation.
“This year, our chapter decided to invite James Fishback to campus because we strongly believe college students deserve the opportunity to use their voices and engage with a variety of political viewpoints,” Tonos said. “We are also aware that some of Mr. Fishback’s past comments have been subject to differing interpretations and controversy. However, our decision to invite him is not an endorsement of him, his personal views or every statement he has made.”
Trey Taylor, a junior English major from Oxford, attended the protest. While he felt that protesting can be uncomfortable, he emphasized that his efforts were worthwhile if they helped other students feel heard.
“It’s kind of awkward. It’s kind of embarrassing,” Taylor said. “But at the same time, it’s so little to go through just to make other people, who don’t feel comfortable or able to speak up for themselves — to make them feel safe.”
Zachary Lyons, a senior political science major from Biloxi, Miss., believes that SDS’s goal to express its disapproval of Fishback was ultimately successful.
“There’s always people at Ole Miss willing to do the right thing,” Lyons said. “No matter how small the crowd is, there’s still people who are willing to stand up and say what is wrong and what is right.”
During the event, Fishback discussed his anti-abortion platform.
“Abortion isn’t healthcare, it’s murder,” Fishback said. “If saying that loses us votes, then so be it, because we will not be judged by the ballot box. We will be judged by our Lord one day, and we (would) much rather lose an election than lose our soul and be condemned to eternal damnation.”
Fishback also discussed his stance regarding the U.S. relationship with Israel.
“It is time for President Trump to call (Israeli Prime Minister) Benjamin Netanyahu and cut him off,” Fishback said. “We must decouple from Israel to save America.”
Fishback also mentioned H-1B visas, which are temporary, employer-sponsored work visas given to highly skilled foreign workers. H-1B visas allow workers to maintain employment in the U.S. for three years and can be renewed for an additional three years.
Fishback claimed these visas are used to replace American employees with international workers.
“The H-1B scam is what allowed Amazon to fire 30,000 Americans, then turn around and apply for 10,000 H-1B worker visas,” Fishback said. “American citizens who had done nothing wrong, work at the same job for 15 (or) 20 years, get a tap on the shoulder, saying, ‘Your position is no longer available,’ … because they found someone from Hyderabad, (India,) or Mumbai, (India,) who would do the job cheaper.”
Tristan Loberg, a freshman biomedical engineering major from Jonesboro, Ark., said he attended the event specifically to see Fishback.
“I saw my friend post a story on Snapchat that had James Fishback in it,” Loberg said. “I saw him on the story and went just to see him.”
Tonos said that the event was a way for students to hear from the politician and consider his views, even if they do not agree with those views.
“We are simply hosting a speaker and creating an opportunity for students to hear from him directly and engage with what he has to say,” Tonos said.
