About 150 students and community members listened to Knowles speak about political violence, the flaws of liberalism and transgender people while about 75 people protested outside the event. Event attendees said they appreciated the open political discussion, while ralliers criticized the University for allowing Knowles to speak on campus.

The couple who threw a homemade firework at Pitt Police officers and planted two smoke bombs during a protest against conservative commentator Michael Knowles in April 2023 were sentenced to time in prison and probation and fined nearly $50,000 on Monday.

A husband and wife were charged with three indictments for dropping two smoke bombs and a firework at the protest that took place outside of the O’Hara Student Center during Michael Knowles’ debate on April 18.