Students at the University of Texas at Austin expressed outrage after Republican candidate for the Texas Railroad Commission, Bo French, posted a tweet that called a group of South Asian fans at a recent football game “foreign nationals” who were “displacing” American students. The post included a screenshot of a video showing the students celebrating a Longhorn touchdown.
Students call the comments unprofessional and divisive
Senior Dhairya Gupta, who appears in the photo wearing a burnt‑orange shirt and the iconic “Hook ’em Horns” hand sign, said the remarks were “insane” and “disgusting.” Gupta, a naturalized citizen, told The Texas Tribune that he is accustomed to online harassment but was shocked to see a political candidate weaponize skin color against him and his friends.
“When I look at that picture, I don’t see a problem,” Gupta said in an interview. “What’s troubling is a public figure using race to push an agenda.”
Other students echoed the sentiment. Sophomore Arsheeya Moyeen described French’s tweet as “extremely unprofessional” and an attempt to manipulate a harmless celebration for political gain. “It takes the sport that should unite us and turns it into a wedge,” she said.
French defends his post on conservative radio
French later defended his comments on a conservative talk‑show, arguing that the university has been prioritizing foreign students and workers. He claimed the campus is “filled with foreign nationals” and suggested that this trend threatens American students.
However, state law requires that 90% of UT freshmen be Texas residents, with the remaining 10% split between out‑of‑state and international students. International enrollment for the 2025‑26 year was about 4% of undergraduates.
University and regents respond
Kevin Eltife, chairman of the UT System Board of Regents, posted a statement thanking the Longhorn fans for their enthusiasm and emphasizing pride in all students. “I’m proud to celebrate all our Longhorn students today and every day,” Eltife wrote.
UT President Jim Davis also responded on social media, calling the university’s students “exceptional” and affirming that “all of them are Longhorns.” The university did not provide further comment.
Context of demographic changes and policy
UT’s undergraduate population has become more diverse in recent years. Asian students now comprise roughly 26% of the student body, up from 20% a decade ago, while white enrollment has fallen from 44% to about 29% over the same period. The university has been prohibited from considering race in admissions since a 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision.
French’s remarks join a series of controversial statements he has made, drawing condemnation from fellow Republicans. Several state lawmakers have publicly denounced the tweet, calling it harmful and contrary to the values of Texas families.
Student reaction on social media
After the tweet spread, many Longhorns rallied online to defend their classmates. Gupta noted that the outpouring of support from alumni and fellow students reminded him that the university’s culture, not its demographics, defines the campus.
“It’s not defined by the demographic(s) of the university itself, but by the culture of the university,” Gupta said.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions over diversity, equity and inclusion policies at public universities and underscores the importance of respectful discourse in Texas politics.
Original reporting: Texas Tribune (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
