# Ryan Fournier

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**Ryan Austin Fournier** (born December 8, 1995) is an American [conservative](/source/Conservatism_in_the_United_States) activist and [political commentator](/source/Pundit). He is the co-founder and acting national chairman of [Students for Trump](/source/Students_for_Trump). He drew national attention in 2025 after falsely accusing a Wisconsin elementary school associate principal, of celebrating the assassination of Charlie Kirk.[1][2][3]

## Early life and education

Fournier was born in [Long Branch, New Jersey](/source/Long_Branch,_New_Jersey), on December 8, 1995, and spent his formative years in [Clayton, North Carolina](/source/Clayton,_North_Carolina).[4]

## Career

Fournier became politically active following his volunteer work for the [Mitt Romney 2012 presidential campaign](/source/Mitt_Romney_2012_presidential_campaign).[5] Prior to launching Students for Trump, Fournier was involved in various local and state political campaigns within [North Carolina](/source/North_Carolina). Along with being the co-chairman of Students for Trump, Fournier also serves as the [President](/source/President_(corporate_title)) of OpenPoll and xStrategies.[6]

In July 2018, Fournier launched a boycott against [Walmart](/source/Walmart) for selling shirts labeled "Impeach 45," which resulted in the [hashtag](/source/Hashtag) #BoycottWalmart trending on [Twitter](/source/Twitter).[7] [Walmart](/source/Walmart) pulled the items from its online store, issuing the following statement: "These items were sold by third-party sellers on our open marketplace, and were not offered directly by Walmart. We're removing these types of items pending review of our marketplace policies."[7]

## Students for Trump

In 2015, Fournier and John Lambert launched [Students for Trump](/source/Students_for_Trump) as a [Twitter](/source/Twitter) account while they were studying at [Campbell University](/source/Campbell_University) in [Buies Creek, NC](/source/Buies_Creek,_NC). Within a year, the group had nearly 300 campus chapters and a considerable social media following.[8]

In May 2021, *[The Daily Beast](/source/The_Daily_Beast)* reported that Fournier testified against long-time friend and co-founder of Students for Trump, John Lambert, in a case where the latter was accused of setting up a fictional New York law firm to pose as experienced attorneys and scam clients.[9] Lambert was sentenced to 13 months in jail for multiple counts of wire fraud.[10] Lambert's defense attorney has named Fournier as the co-conspirator in the case, suggesting that Lambert and Fournier used various gig sites to market themselves as licensed attorneys.[9][11]

In September 2025, Fournier falsely accused the associate principal of an elementary school in Wisconsin of having posted that [Charlie Kirk](/source/Charlie_Kirk), who [had been killed](/source/Assassination_of_Charlie_Kirk) two days earlier, "deserves everything he got". He also posted her picture and her phone number and email address as well as the school's, resulting in a deluge of threatening calls and emails. The school's principal reached out to Fournier who did not respond and waited two days before retracting his post with what the principal called a "half-assed" apology.[12][13]

## Views

In a since-deleted [Facebook](/source/Facebook) post on June 11, 2020, Fournier claimed that donations to [Black Lives Matter](/source/Black_Lives_Matter) were being funneled to Democratic campaigns through [ActBlue](/source/ActBlue), a Democratic Super PAC.[14] Similar allegations were made by other conservative commentators, such as [Candace Owens](/source/Candace_Owens) and the [Hodgetwins](/source/Hodgetwins).[15] The [Associated Press](/source/Associated_Press) and [fact-checking](/source/Fact-checking) website [PolitiFact](/source/PolitiFact) rated the claim as false.[15][16]

In a tweet dated January 31, 2021, Fournier claimed that the "Biden administration lost 20 million COVID vaccines...".[17] According to PolitiFact, the [Biden administration](/source/Presidency_of_Joe_Biden) wasn't responsible for losing the vaccines and that the distribution infrastructure under which these vaccines went missing were set up during the [Trump administration](/source/First_presidency_of_Donald_Trump). PolitiFact rated Fournier's allegations on the missing vaccines as false.[17]

On April 20, 2021, Fournier shared a Facebook post with an image reading "[Derek Chauvin](/source/Derek_Chauvin) did not get a fair trial". The statement was later retracted as an opinion. *[USA Today](/source/USA_Today)* fact-checked Fournier's statement and considered it as missing context and ignoring the steps taken to ensure the trial was held in a fair manner.[18]

## Legal issues

### 2023 arrest

On November 21, 2023, Fournier was arrested in [Johnston County, North Carolina](/source/Johnston_County,_North_Carolina), for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend with a deadly weapon. Charges were eventually dropped by the District Attorney.[19][20][21][22]

### 2026 arrest

On May 26, 2026, Fournier was arrested in Washington, D.C., and charged with "simple assault and attempted threats to do bodily harm." The alleged victim was a new girlfriend.[23]

## References

1. Sears, Ashley (September 16, 2025). ["Charlie Kirk death; Elkhorn administrator falsely accused of post, sees backlash"](https://www.fox6now.com/news/charlie-kirk-death-elkhorn-administrator-falsely-accused-post-sees-backlash). *[FOX6 Milwaukee](/source/WITI_(TV))*. Retrieved May 31, 2026.

1. Spicuzza, Mary & Clark, Quinn (September 25, 2025). ["How an influencer's post about Charlie Kirk turned a Wisconsin principal into a national target"](https://jsonline.com/story/news/local/2025/09/25/false-post-accused-elkhorn-principal-of-celebrating-charlie-kirk-death/86227168007/). *[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel](/source/Milwaukee_Journal_Sentinel)*. Retrieved May 31, 2026.

1. Bogel-Burroughs, Nicholas & Mokam, Bernard (September 26, 2025). ["A Broad Wave of Firings Followed Charlie Kirk's Assassination"](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/26/us/kirk-critics-fired-free-speech.html). *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*. Retrieved May 31, 2026.

1. Chason, Rachel (September 27, 2016). ["National 'Students for Trump' effort has NC roots"](https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/article104522526.html). *[The News & Observer](/source/The_News_%26_Observer)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20161001084724/https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/article104522526.html) October 1, 2016 at the Wayback Machine.

1. Katz, Celeste (June 2, 2016). ["Meet the 20-Year-Old Mastermind Behind Students For Trump"](https://www.mic.com/articles/145019/meet-the-20-year-old-mastermind-behind-students-for-trump). Mic. Retrieved April 4, 2021.

1. Fournier, Ryan (October 15, 2019). ["Ryan Fournier - Official Website"](https://ryanfournier.com/). *Ryan Fournier*. Retrieved April 4, 2021.

1. ["Walmart removes 'Impeach 45' apparel after online outrage, calls for boycott"](https://www.today.com/style/walmart-s-impeach-45-apparel-sparks-online-outrage-call-boycott-t132482). *TODAY.com*. July 3, 2018. Retrieved April 4, 2021.

1. Markay, Lachlan (February 27, 2018). ["Pro-Trump College Group Won't Tell the Feds What the Hell It's Doing"](https://www.thedailybeast.com/pro-trump-college-group-wont-tell-the-feds-what-the-hell-its-doing). *[The Daily Beast](/source/The_Daily_Beast)*. Retrieved April 3, 2021.

1. Sommer, Will. ["Students for Trump Founder Ryan Fournier Ratted Out Friend To Feds"](https://www.thedailybeast.com/students-for-trump-founder-ryan-fournier-ratted-out-friend-to-feds). *[The Daily Beast](/source/The_Daily_Beast)*. Retrieved May 18, 2021.

1. Schreckinger, Ben (May 9, 2019). ["He Founded 'Students for Trump.' Now He Could Face Jail Time for Impersonating a Lawyer."](https://politi.co/2J6EWH2). *POLITICO Magazine*. Retrieved May 18, 2021.

1. Brown, Stephen Rex. ["Students for Trump founder John Lambert sentenced to 13 months for posing as lawyer"](https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-students-for-trump-founder-sentenced-20210511-ftba7yvdvzdi3oiblutg7pb7sa-story.html). *New York Daily News*. Retrieved May 18, 2021.

1. Spicuzza, Mary & Clark, Quinn. ["How an influencer's post about Charlie Kirk turned a Wisconsin principal into a national target"](https://jsonline.com/story/news/local/2025/09/25/false-post-accused-elkhorn-principal-of-celebrating-charlie-kirk-death/86227168007/). *[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel](/source/Milwaukee_Journal_Sentinel)*. Retrieved September 26, 2025.

1. Bogel-Burroughs, Nicholas & Mokam, Bernard (September 26, 2025). ["A Broad Wave of Firings Followed Charlie Kirk's Assassination"](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/26/us/kirk-critics-fired-free-speech.html). *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*. Retrieved September 26, 2025.

1. Jacobson, Louis. ["Fact-check: Do donations to Black Lives Matter go to a 'Democrat Super PAC'?"](https://www.statesman.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/06/16/fact-check-do-donations-to-black-lives-matter-go-to-lsquodemocrat-super-pacrsquo/42498563/). *Austin American-Statesman*. Retrieved April 3, 2021.

1. Funke, Daniel (June 12, 2020). ["Conservative pundits share false claim about Black Lives Matter, ActBlue"](https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2020/jun/12/ryan-fournier/conservative-pundits-share-false-claim-about-black/). [PolitiFact](/source/PolitiFact). Retrieved April 3, 2021.

1. ["Link on Black Lives Matter website does not donate directly to DNC"](https://apnews.com/article/archive-fact-checking-9043930562). [Associated Press](/source/Associated_Press). June 12, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2021.

1. Kim, Noah Y. (February 1, 2021). ["Biden administration didn't lose 20 million COVID-19 vaccines"](https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2021/feb/01/ryan-fournier/biden-administration-didnt-lose-20-million-covid-1/). [PolitiFact](/source/PolitiFact). Retrieved April 3, 2021.

1. Rouan, Rick. ["Fact check: Missing context in claim questioning whether Derek Chauvin received fair trial"](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2021/04/21/did-derek-chauvin-receive-fair-trial-killing-george-floyd/7324749002/). *[USA Today](/source/USA_Today)*. Retrieved May 18, 2021.

1. ["Students for Trump founder Ryan Fournier charged with assault"](https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/students-for-trump-ryan-fournier-arrested-assault). November 28, 2023.

1. Rosen, Jacob & Linton, Caroline (November 29, 2023). ["Ryan Fournier, students for Trump co-founder, arrested on assault charges"](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ryan-fournier-students-for-trump-co-founder-arrested-assault-on-a-female/). CBS News. Retrieved November 29, 2023.

1. Helmore, Edward (November 29, 2023). ["Students for Trump founder arrested, accused of striking girlfriend with gun"](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/29/students-for-trump-domestic-violence-arrest-charge). *The Guardian*. Retrieved November 29, 2023.

1. Edwards, David (December 20, 2023). ["Charges dropped after woman accuses Students for Trump founder of pistol-whipping her"](https://www.rawstory.com/charges-dropped-after-woman-accuses-students-for-trump-founder-of-pistol-whipping-her/). *Raw Story*. Retrieved October 19, 2024.

1. ["\[Gift link\] Students For Trump Co-Founder Arrested On Domestic Violence Charges, Allegedly Yelled “Do You Want To Die Today?”"](https://defector.com/students-for-trump-chairman-ryan-fournier-arrest-domestic-violence?giftLink=6cb8608fc3263ecf58a652a7f68d457d). May 28, 2026.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Ryan Fournier](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_Fournier) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_Fournier?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.