Trans Professor Backs Out of Debate with Conservative Commentator

Deirdre McCloskey, a transgender professor, decided to back out of a debate with conservative commentator Michael Knowles at the University of Pittsburgh. Previously, she expressed confidence in winning the debate. According to Campus Reform, McCloskey commented that “would not be a rational debate but a fascist rally.” Knowles announced the cancellation in a tweet on Tuesday.

Knowles tweeted, “I’ve just learned that Prof. McCloskey has dropped out of our debate scheduled for next week. For weeks, he’s baselessly smeared me as a ‘fascist’ but nonetheless insisted upon the importance of debating ideas rather than running from them. Apparently he’s changed his mind.”

McCloskey cited that Knowles is “utterly uninterested in finding the truth,” as the reason for backing out of the debate.

Before the cancellation, McCloskey expressed her enthusiasm for the event, stating she did not need to prepare for the debate. In March, he tweeted her support for the debate and the principle of free speech. McCloskey claimed, “we live in a free country,” opposing the petition that had been signed by a thousand people against Knowles debating on transgender issues.

The debate would have taken place on April 18 at the University of Pittsburgh. After McCloskey’s withdrawal, the administrators reached out to Charlotte Clymer, a transgender activist, with a $10,000 offer to replace her. However, Clymer turned down the offer, stating that the mere existence of transgender people should not be up for debate.

The University of Pittsburgh has yet to comment on the incident. The cancellation of the debate highlights an increase in suppressing conservative speech within universities. A few weeks ago, a Pennsylvania state representative gave a warning of withholding funding from the University of Pittsburgh for hosting conservative speakers such as Michael Knowles.