University president sounds alarm as nearly half of students justify violence to stop ‘hate speech’
A survey of US undergraduates found that 45% believe physical violence can be justified to stop speech they consider hateful, prompting a university president to warn that higher education has failed to foster moral reasoning. The findings raise questions about students’ attitudes towards free expression and about whether universities are preparing graduates to engage constructively with disagreement.
The 2026 Buckley Institute survey also found that 46% support shout-downs and 40% favour criminal prosecution for offensive speech. Support for violence was reported by 54% of liberal students, 36% of moderates and 30% of conservatives. Cornerstone University president Gerson Moreno-Riaño framed the results as a problem of moral education, and argued that employers may question whether some degrees equip graduates for work.
- 45% of surveyed undergraduates said violence can be justified to stop hate speech.
- Support varied by political leaning, from 30% of conservatives to 54% of liberals.
- A university president linked the findings to concerns about moral education and graduate readiness.