Wheaton College Removes Social Media Post
For generations, Wheaton College has been regarded as a bedrock of evangelical Christian education—an institution that has produced some of the most influential leaders in the faith. It proudly proclaims its commitment to Christ-centered learning, and its alumni roster reads like a who’s who of prominent voices in American evangelicalism. But when it came to celebrating one of its own—Russ Vought, a staunchly pro-life conservative confirmed by the Senate to lead the Office of Management and Budget—Wheaton buckled under the pressure of online outrage.
Initially, the college did what it has always done when an alumnus reaches a position of national significance: it offered congratulations and prayers. Yet within hours, social media backlash prompted the school to retract its post.
Wheaton’s explanation? “The political situation surrounding [Vought’s] appointment led to a significant concern expressed online.” The school insisted that it does not make political endorsements, even though offering well wishes to a graduate is not an endorsement of their policies—just as it wasn’t when Wheaton celebrated other alumni who entered public service.
What makes Wheaton’s retreat particularly striking is that, while it claims neutrality, it has not hesitated to platform speakers who are openly hostile to the conservative political movement. In September, the college hosted The After Party, a Bible study group led by New York Times columnist David French, Christianity Today editor-in-chief Russell Moore, and Duke Divinity consultant Curtis Chang—all of whom have built their recent reputations on their opposition to Donald Trump. French even endorsed Kamala Harris, while Chang lamented Trump’s election as “a disaster for the country”.
While Wheaton says it avoids political engagement, it gave The After Party a platform despite its financial backing from left-wing secular organizations, including Bill Kristol’s Defending Democracy Together Institute, which has poured millions of dollars into anti-Trump efforts.
Christian author Natasha Crain has gone so far as to call The After Party’s content “in no way non-partisan” and an attempt to “confuse church members into believing that there’s a moral equivalence between the political parties.”
By contrast, Vought, an accomplished Wheaton graduate with a long record of service, has never been invited back to speak. The same holds true for other conservative Wheaton alumni, raising the question: is the school’s claim of non-partisanship sincere, or is it simply an unwillingness to be associated with the political right?
Many conservatives, including Wheaton alumni, have made their disappointment clear. Eric Teetsel, a former Heritage Foundation vice president, described his heartbreak over the situation, saying that while he once dreamed of sending his daughters to Wheaton, he “could not in good conscience encourage them to attend.” Economist and author David Bahnsen went even further, calling the school’s decision “rank cowardice”, adding that “their rationale for the takedown was even worse than the takedown itself.”
Even members of Congress weighed in. Missouri Senator Eric Schmitt called Wheaton’s reversal “absurd”, pointing out that once again, “the smallest minority of detractors come away victorious.” Meanwhile, Hillsdale College, another private Christian institution, took the opposite approach. After initially congratulating Vought, Hillsdale doubled down, posting on social media: “Trigger warning: We will not be deleting our earlier post congratulating Russ Vought.”