Naval Academy Cancels Lecture on Authoritarianism After Conservative Backlash

The U.S. Naval Academy withdrew its invitation to historian Dr. Ruth Ben-Ghiat following pressure from right-wing media and political figures.

Dr. Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a historian specializing in authoritarianism, was initially invited to speak at the U.S. Naval Academy.
The cancellation followed criticism from conservative outlets and figures who labeled her as anti-Trump.
Her planned lecture was to cover historical militaries under authoritarian regimes, not contemporary U.S. politics.
The Heritage Foundation and its Project 2025 were prominent in calling for the lecture's cancellation.
Critics argue the decision reflects broader censorship pressures within military institutions.