BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — The student-run newspaper at one of the state's largest public universities is coming under fire from Indiana's new lieutenant governor.
This week, Lt. Gov.-elect Micah Beckwith posted on X about the Indiana Daily Student's election issue, calling it "WOKE propaganda at its finest," saying it's "...why most of America looks at higher education indoctrination centers like IU as a complete joke and waste of money."
Beckwith said he stands by his post, in which he also called the paper's cover "elitist leftist propaganda" that "needs to stop," saying, "Or we will be happy to stop it for them."
The co-editor of the Indiana Daily Student said the paper stands behind its front page, which shows the profile of President-elect Donald Trump. Woven into his image are quotes from former cabinet members and advisors, all of them critical of the newly elected President.
"His resounding victory in Tuesday's election, despite the fact that he had so many detractors including former members of his cabinet officials, demonstrates his resilience with the American people," said co-editor of the paper, Marissa Meador.
"Two-million people decided that they wanted him to be the next president of the United States," said Meador, explaining the cover design was trying to show Trump's victory despite such criticism. "We felt that something visually striking like that would demonstrate just how decisive this thing was. Half the country, a lot are devastated. The other half, many feel vindicated by this, felt like their voice is being reflected by the president."
13News asked Meador if the cover could have been more balanced and shown how divided opinion was about the president-elect by also featuring comments in support of him.
"One specific thing we were trying to get out was that he won in spite of all the negative things said about him," Meador said. "The support was the mere fact that 72 million Americans voted for him, which was reflected in the election results, so we wanted to have detractors there."
Meador said the Indiana Daily Student welcomes criticism of what the paper publishes because it creates dialogue.
She does have concerns though about the last part of Beckwith's post.
"The total end of his tweet kind of suggests that he would use his position as lieutenant governor to control what we publish in the future. That was deeply concerning to us," Meador said.
In response to an email asking about his post, the new lieutenant governor said in a statement:
"There were two assassination attempts on President Trump's life due to inflammatory language and illustrations like what the Indiana Daily Student published. While I support their practice of freedom of speech, it appears from their publication that they don't know that our country is a republic. I will work to make sure our state tax dollars are wisely used and that this type of woke propaganda receives no taxpayer support directly or indirectly."
According to Meador, the paper is funded through ad revenues and events and pays a tax to Indiana University for the building space they use.
A university spokesperson said in an email, "The Indiana Daily Student is editorially independent from Indiana University."
13News also reached out to Governor-elect Mike Braun's office. The office had no comment on Beckwith's post.