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By James Bickerton and Joshua Rhett Miller
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Footage of a woman reading a poem mocking the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk while at an event hosted by the group at the University of Texas at San Antonio has sparked widespread backlash among conservatives.
The video, which has gone viral on social media, prompted an online campaign to identify the speaker, including unsupported speculation regarding her citizenship status. Several conservative outlets and personalities have named the reader as Isa Casahuga Lemgruber, though Newsweek has not independently verified that identification.
The poem references “a shot to the neck” on “the great Kirkiversary,” and the woman also says her group was set to host a “squirt for Kirk” event. She also told Turning Point USA’s Christian Collins that he was “brave” for being out with “no protection, no nothing, no like neck brace.”
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In a statement sent to Newsweek the University of Texas San Antonio said, "UT San Antonio is aware of the social media content involving one of our students and takes the matter seriously. The sentiments expressed do not reflect the value of our university. The university is reviewing the circumstances through its established student conduct processes, consistent with applicable state and federal law and university policies.
"In accordance with federal student privacy protections, including FERPA, we are unable to comment further on the individual student or any specific disciplinary action."
Newsweek has not independently verified the poem reader's identity, enrollment, nationality or immigration status.
Kirk, the firebrand conservative activist known for his events on college campuses, was killed on September 10, 2025, after being shot in the neck while he was answering questions from students at an event at Utah Valley University.
Newsweek contacted The University of Texas System for comment on Friday via email outside of regular office hours.
What Was Said
On Tuesday, Collins, founder of the conservative Texas Youth Summit, shared footage on X of a poem being read to him while he was holding an outdoor "Pick Up the Mic" event at the University of Texas at San Antonio, where students were encouraged to come forward and ask questions.
In the video a young woman identifies herself to Collins as “Pamper Baby” and said she “took a Plan B and I’m an immigrant this morning,” in reference to a brand of morning-after pill.
The woman said she “wanted to read a poem I actually wrote” describing this as “freedom of speech.”
She then read the poem, an adapted version of The Night Before Christmas, which said, “It was the night before the Kirkiversary and all through the house not a creature was stirring not even a mouse.
“The flags were hung proudly the memes all on deck as we solemnly remembered a shot to the neck. The podcast fell silent the hot takes grew weary, for tomorrow dear friends is the great Kirkiversary.”
When she’d finished, the woman received some cheering and applause from individuals off camera, to which she said, “So I’ll see everyone at the ‘Squirt for Kirk,’ we’re hosting that also on October 10…You know vaccines included, s***'s free, see y’all there.”
Collins then asked the woman, “Are you happy with yourself?” to which she replied, “Baby I’m thrilled,” adding, “You’re brave for being out here, you know, no protection, no nothing, no like neck brace.”
Collins responds, “I’ll pray for you” and the video ends.
When approached for comment, Turning Point USA referred Newsweek to comments made by their spokesperson Andrew Kolvet during an edition of The Charlie Kirk Show that was released on Thursday.
He said, “Look there are a lot of nasty people out there. You may not see them everyday, you may not talk to them, it may be easy to ignore that they exist, but there are a lot of people out there that if you confront them they’re pretty happy to say, ‘We want you dead, we’re going to gloat about how we would love to kill you and get away with it and God willing we’ll be able to do that someday.'”
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Who Read the Poem?
Multiple conservative sources have identified the speaker as Isa Casahuga Lemgruber, a student at the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Right-wing outlets Gateway Pundit and American Greatness both pointed to "internet sleuths" as identifying Casahuga Lemgruber. Breitbart said “social media users” had identified her.
Conservative commentator Meghan McCain, daughter of the late Republican Senator John McCain, also identified the woman, adding, “Make sure everywhere she goes people know this is who she is.”
Conservative activist Benny Johnson said, “Isa Casahuga-Lemgruber…a student from Brazil,” suggesting she could be deported. He didn’t provide any evidence that Casahuga Lemgruber isn’t an American citizen.
A website was also constructed about the woman and her family. It is unclear who is behind this website.
Newsweek’s attempts to reach the individuals named by the outlets and on the website were unsuccessful.
Reaction
UT System Board of Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife and UT System Chancellor John Zerwas said, “We have been apprised of the incident at UT San Antonio. Let us be clear — we will not tolerate the incitement of violence or the threat of incitement of violence by any member of our UT community. UT San Antonio will handle this incident consistent with the law.”
Also on Thursday, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau commented on X, without specifically referring to the Turning Point incident, that “foreigners who participate in, advocate, or celebrate political violence aren’t welcome visitors in our country, and that we’re ready, willing, and able to revoke visas as we become aware of such case.”
He added, “Many cases that have been brought to our attention on social media, however, do not in fact involve foreigners present in our country on visas, but instead US citizens. Under those circumstances, obviously, no visa action is implicated. So just make sure to take with a grain of salt what you read online. As always, we encourage everyone to report suspected visa fraud or abuse at https://travel.state.gov/en/report-visa-fraud.html and we’ll look into it.”
Newsweek contacted the Department of State for comment on Friday via email and online inquiry form.
Charlie Kirk Suspect
Days after Kirk’s shooting in September 2025, Tyler Robinson, 22, was arrested and remains in custody facing charges of aggravated murder, obstruction of justice and felony discharge of a firearm. On September 1, Robinson's lawyers entered a "not-guilty" plea on his behalf.
According to FBI Director Kash Patel, Robinson was turned in to authorities by his father, who “told law enforcement that he recognized his son in that released video.” Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Robinson.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Daniel Orton and Geoffrey Rowland.
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