University of Michigan student arrested after attacking right-wing influencer

Sarah Atwood, The Detroit News on Nov 2, 2026

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A University of Michigan student was arrested after shoving a conservative influencer to the ground and making a threat, a confrontation that was captured on video.

A video of the altercation was posted to X by multiple right-wing influencers. The altercation took place during a Liberty Under Fire USA campus event on Sunday, the organization said in a statement. The event was one of several the organization was hosting where right-wing commentators debate hotly contested political issues on university campuses.

One video, posted by conservative commentator Meghan Elinor, showed the student arguing with two men seated at a table beneath a sign reading "Is Islam Compatible with the West?" before clapping directly in one of the men's face, causing him to flinch away. It's not clear if she strikes him based on the video, but he can be heard telling the campus police — who were responding because of the unpermitted event and a noise complaint — she hit him.

In a prior video posted by Elinor, the table can be shown across from a booth supporting Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed. Members of Liberty Under Fire USA were speaking into a microphone into two speakers about the "Muslim Brotherhood," which El-Sayed has disavowed and said he was not a part of.

Those who posted the video and Liberty Under Fire USA also identified the student as an El-Sayed supporter, but she does not identify herself as such during the video.

The female student tells police she did not hit the man and yelled several expletives at those in the crowd who say she did and had it on camera. The student also yells about the "anti-Muslim" people who want to say she "put a hand on him."

Benichou, who can be seen standing right behind the student while she yells, then asks the student whether the way she was dressed would be acceptable in Iran.

The student then shoved Benichou, who had her hands in her pockets to the ground. A nearby man lifted her away from Benichou, and she was then arrested after trying to lunge at her again.

"I should’ve f------ killed you when I had the f–----- chance," she said to Benichou as police led her away.

Benichou said in a statement posted to X that she intended to pursue criminal charges to the fullest extent of the law.

Liberty Under Fire USA did not have a permit or permission to be on campus, according to UM police.

UM Police spokesperson Melissa Overton said in a statement that as members of the organization were packing up to leave, officers witnessed a student push a woman to the ground.

"The student was taken into custody, processed and released," Overton said. "The incident will be forwarded to the Washtenaw County Prosecutor's Office for review. The victim, who is not affiliated with the university, was later medically treated and released. We do not release names until an individual is arraigned."

Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit is the Democratic candidate for attorney general.

Liberty Under Fire USA was officially created in May 2026 by Arizona teenager Taylor Sharp, his girlfriend Gianna Carlson and a friend, The Arizona Republic reported. Sharp said he wanted to pick up where Charlie Kirk left off after his assassination and continue campus debates.

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