By Tiffany Sauceda, March 24, 2026
Cal Poly Pomona’s Turning Point USA chapter hosted its first “Pick Up the Mic” event in the University Quad March 11, where the more than 100 students in attendance had the opportunity to ask speaker Will Witt questions during his “prove me wrong” debate.
The “Pick Up the Mic” event encouraged students to use their freedom of speech in an open debate to promote conservative viewpoints.
Will Witt is a conservative media personality and author who is known for interviewing college students on cultural and political issues.
Students involved with CPP TPUSA motivated students in the crowd to ask questions, making it known any question was welcome. Students debated Witt on topics like the war in Iran, diversity, equity and inclusion, Venezuela, climate change and affirmative action.
Students also asked multiple questions, such as should J.D. Vance get a facelift and why Witt believes college is a scam. CPP Communications student Sophia Chheu asked Witt a question about the U.S. bombing Iran.
“I felt like he was giving his opinion rather than his political thought,” Chheu said. “He answered it very personally rather than representing a certain party as a whole. It was nerve racking asking a question, because everyone is watching you, cameras are pointed at you, and you don’t want to say the wrong thing.”
Students were drawn to the event when they noticed Witt and a student forming a deeper debate about sensitive topics, while some stayed on the sidelines making comments or recording the debate.
CPP TPUSA President Sabriel Zapata encouraged freedom of speech and the openness the chapter and event both provide, motivating students to “pick up the mic” throughout the event.
“Our hope is to grow and create a space where everyone can express their views, whether at a meeting or at a ‘Pick Up the Mic’ event,because every voice matters,” Zapata said.
Two tents were set up where the event took place, one providing an area for the speaker to sit and answer questions and for the chapter to set up equipment used for recording the event. The second tent provided TPUSA constitution pamphlets, multiple pins with a couple reading, “be like Charlie Kirk” or “Freedom” and posters promoting the event and TPUSA.
Event also members walked around with signs reading, “Prove me wrong,” followed by a statement or question.
CPP’s TPUSA chapter began at the beginning of the 2026 spring semester with Zapata. He said the chapter’s cabinet faced lots of trouble getting started, and it was challenging to plan the chapter’s biggest event yet.
According to the chapter’s scheduler Samara Asad, the chapter began planning the “Pick Up the Mic” event at the end of January, but the event did not get approved until a month later. He said the chapter faced challenges with Associated Students Inc. from the club’s approval to having amplified sound provided at the “Pick Up the Mic” event.
“In order to get amplified sound approved, we would have had to move our event even further down the line,” Asad said. “It just wasn’t a possibility with having Will Witt there. He already gave us a date.”
The chapter was under a lot of supervision from ASI, according to Asad. The cabinet members had to ensure they had permits and insurance for the event as well as a risk management team and police present, especially with this event taking place after the assassination of Charlie Kirk September 2025.
Throughout the “Pick Up the Mic” event, Bronco Leadership Centers Director, Jason Lou, was present keeping watch of the entire event.
“I always saw tons of admin always watching, and it seemed like they were more bothered than the people at this school,” said TPUSA volunteer Paulina Evangelista. “Students who came up and debated seemed like they actually enjoyed the event.”
Asad said TPUSA also faced trouble getting the chapter approved after submitting the application last year. According to CPP’s TPUSA board, ASI declined the application under the belief the club was racist and would only consist of those a part of the Caucasian race. Despite this belief, this year’s executive board is primarily people of color, Asad said.
According to ASI’s Vice President Bia Machain, ASI is not in charge of the approval of clubs on campus, the restriction of amplified sound, or supervision of clubs in any capacity other than club funding.
“I will choose to believe that TPUSA did not make these comments in bad faith, but simply as a misunderstanding,” says Machain.
The chapter’s online description states the chapter promotes “limited government, free markets, and individual liberty through campus activism, events, and discussions,” all with the hope to educate students on conservative American values.
Although the chapter has already faced so much hate and negative response online and in person, it isn’t stopping them from continuing on, according to Zapata. After this event, they ,would like to plan to host Christian faith nights and movie nights.
“Just be looking forward to seeing us soon because we’ll be back with one of these events, if not another one that’s going to be just as great,” Asad said.