More than 1,000 University of Chicago alumni sign letter protesting Bannon invitation

Greg Nash

More than 1,000 University of Chicago alumni have signed a letter to school administrators demanding the university rescind its speaking invitation to former White House chief strategist Stephen Bannon.

Bannon, the former executive chairman of Breitbart News, was invited by a professor to address faculty and staff at the Booth School of Business, prompting a massive backlash from the student body and faculty members.

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The letter, written to university President Robert Zimmer and Provost Daniel Diermeier, demands the school uninvite Bannon, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Tuesday.

It also calls for an itemized list of the funds that would be spent on the speech, including travel, food, lodging, an honorarium or increased security for Bannon’s arrival.

“As alumni who are regularly asked to donate to the University for the benefit of its current students, we strongly feel there are better ways for our donations to be put to use,” the letter says.

Bannon has accepted the invitation, but there has reportedly been no date scheduled for the visit.

Bannon left the White House in August and returned to Breitbart News. He was forced out of Breitbart earlier this month after excerpts from Michael Wolff’s controversial book “Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House” quoted Bannon as making disparaging remarks about the Trump family. 

Tags Breitbart Chicago Chicago Donald Trump Illinois Steve Bannon University of Chicago

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