Trending Now - University of Florida Suspends College Republicans Amid Antisemitism Claims
WHO:
University of Florida
College Republicans chapter at the University of Florida
Florida Federation of College Republicans
Florida International University
Miami-Dade chapter of the Republican Party
New York’s Republican State Committee
WHAT:
The University of Florida's decision to deactivate the College Republicans could result in the group losing access to campus spaces and funds.
A photo showing two individuals giving a Nazi salute was posted online, prompting the university's action.
The University of Florida College Republicans filed a federal lawsuit against Dr. Donald W. Landry, the university’s interim president, claiming a violation of their First Amendment rights.
The University of Florida is deactivating its College Republicans chapter as a registered student group.
The Florida Federation of College Republicans disbanded the Gainesville campus' chapter.
The disbandment was due to members engaging in antisemitic behavior.
The University of Florida will assist with reactivating the campus chapter under new student leadership when ready.
WHERE:
Gainesville, Florida
Florida International University, Miami, Florida
WHEN:
The deactivation effort is occurring in March 2026.
The investigation at Florida International University was launched earlier in March 2026.
Last fall (2025), New York’s Republican State Committee suspended a Young Republican organization.
WHY:
Donald W. Landry stated that members of the University of Florida College Republicans violated the rules of a state umbrella group for Republican campus chapters.
The actions were taken after reports of antisemitic behavior and a pattern of conduct that violated rules and values.
HOW:
The university's action followed the sharing of the Nazi salute photo by an education and pro-Israel activist on social media.
The University of Florida was notified by the Florida Federation of College Republicans regarding the conduct of its members.
An investigation was initiated into a group chat involving racist slurs, antisemitic comments, and misogynistic language at Florida International University.
(UPDATED March 17, 2026 13:28 UTC)
The University of Florida has decided to deactivate the College Republicans, which could lead to the group losing access to campus spaces and funding after a photo surfaced online showing two individuals giving a Nazi salute. In response, the College Republicans have filed a federal lawsuit against the university's interim president, Dr. Donald W. Landry, claiming their First Amendment rights have been violated. Landry stated that the group's actions violated the rules of a state umbrella organization for Republican campus chapters, prompting the university's decision.
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(UPDATED March 17, 2026 07:24 UTC)
In a significant move, the University of Florida has deactivated its College Republicans chapter following reports of antisemitic behavior among its members, with the Florida Federation of College Republicans also disbanding the Gainesville campus chapter. Meanwhile, an investigation is underway at Florida International University into a group chat that contained racist slurs, antisemitic comments, and misogynistic language. The University of Florida has stated that it will assist in reactivating the campus chapter under new student leadership when the time is right.