CEASE AND DESIST LETTER SENT TO O'KEEFE IN FLORIDA:

A Florida University President has sent me a CEASE AND DESIST LETTER to stop OMG from publishing a covert recording of the University President being duplicitous, in a conference room, while talking to staff and professors.

We stand by our reporting, do not respond to threats, and we publish at 5 PM.

@OKeefeMediaGroup

FLORIDA TECH PRESIDENT Admits to ‘Tweaking the Language’ of 'DEI Courses' to Bypass DEI Ban


“We have not changed, if you noticed, our core values on our website,” stated John Nicklow, President of Florida Institute of Technology, in a secretly recorded board meeting provided to O’Keefe Media Group by a source. In the recording, Nicklow speaks candidly with faculty and administrators about the need to modify language in public-facing documents and course catalogs to avoid becoming a target for state and federal defunding efforts. “We are going to do what we do, let’s not unnecessarily put a target on our back,” Nicklow furthered.

Nicklow described direct pressure from Governor Ron DeSantis’ administration, revealing, “These people are just looking for words, okay?” referencing how language about “gender expression” on a Title IX page drew attention from Gov. Desantis.

“If it then hits NSF [National Science Foundation], we lose millions of dollars,” he warned staff and educators, noting that the legislation extends to the university’s ability to secure federally funded research grants. “We are seeing specific projects being pulled… because they had the words in executive summary of ‘climate change.’” His recommendation: “If you word it as surveillance and defense, it will probably get funded.”

Nicklow didn’t hold back in his assessment of driving political efforts, stating, “They are not smart people,” adding, “They are simply searching, whatever comes back on [the] web, searching without understanding.”

Despite the warnings, Nicklow maintained support for educators, “You’re not going to get fired for teaching those [DEI] courses,” assuring faculty that the university’s General Counsel would back them if issues arose.

Nicklow recalled conversations with legislators, claiming, “They didn’t know that overhead keeps the lights on.” “I had frank conversations with our congressmen, and they had no idea,” he said.

When questioned about how to navigate the changing environment, he concluded: “Well, you don’t get to pick and choose which parts of diversity community you support and which you don't. My advice is, be mindful of words.”

OMG has reached out to Florida Tech, Ron DeSantis, and the White House regarding President Nicklow’s comments.

@OKeefeMediaGroup

FLORIDA TECH PRESIDENT RECORDED; Admitting to ‘Tweaking the Language’ of 'DEI Courses' to Bypass DeSantis-Backed DEI Ban and Secure $7 Million in Taxpayer Funding; O’Keefe Escorted Off Campus After Heated Confrontation

“They [the Government] are not smart people... They are simply searching, whatever comes back on [the] web, searching without understanding.”

“Part of me driving back, I thought: ‘Why don't we fight back?’”

“Talked to the Diversity Cabinet, had a very good conversation... and we modified some of the language.”

@OKeefeMediaGroup

UPDATE: OMG has received a statement from the Executive Office of Governor Ron DeSantis regarding FIT President John Nicklow’s recent comments.

Bryan Griffin, Communications Director for Governor DeSantis, said: "This was not a meeting with Governor DeSantis. Public universities in Florida are already prohibited from having DEI programs. However, our office has met with this private university to advocate and insist they end any and all DEI practices. Should any DEI persist at any university in Florida, we know it will not lead to student achievement and will fight to have it completely eliminated."

@OKeefeMediaGroup

OMG CITIZEN JOURNALISTS:

As a journalistic practice, call Florida Tech for comment on our latest hidden camera piece. Record the call and send us your recording for potential publishing.

Adam Lowenstein - Director of Media Communications
(321) 674-8964

Madeline Taylor - Media Communications Coordinator
(321) 674-8937

Florida Tech General Line: (321) 674-8000

@OKeefeMediaGroup

Florida Tech Security called for backup on me.

One guy with a microphone = DEFCON 1 at this school.

@OKeefeMediaGroup

FL TECH UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT APOLOGIZES:

John Nicklow: “I regret and accept responsibility for my word choice.”

Also says OMG known for “distributing selectively edited and deceptive video content.”

If it’s so deceptive what is he apologizing for?

FULL STATEMENT BELOW

@OKeefeMediaGroup

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: President <president@fit.edu>

Dear Panthers,
Last Friday, I joined a meeting with psychology faculty at the invitation of the CoPLA Dean. The purpose was to address questions around our continued efforts to align with evolving state and federal DEI regulations. As always, we are navigating these changes with a clear commitment to full legal compliance and academic excellence—our top priorities.
Unfortunately, that private meeting was illegally recorded and shared with the O’Keefe Media Group, which is known for distributing selectively edited and deceptive video content. The video has since been published and misrepresents my comments—offered in a spirit of empathy and clarity for our faculty—as somehow indicating noncompliance. That is simply false.
In response to this, Florida Tech is taking appropriate legal action. The videos that have been shared do not tell the whole story, nor do they accurately reflect my true sentiments or intentions.
When Governor DeSantis called for the removal of DEI initiatives from Florida’s public institutions of higher education, Florida Tech responded proactively and in good faith, consistent with our commitment to lawful compliance and educational excellence.
The facts are as follows:
Florida Tech has been proactively aligned with Governor DeSantis’s directives regarding DEI and is taking all necessary steps to demonstrate compliance.
Florida Tech remains firmly committed to its mission and values with an unwavering focus on our students’ education and success.
Sometimes, difficult moments find their way into our path—unexpected, unfortunate, even unfair. This is one of those times, and I regret and accept responsibility for my word choice. But at Florida Tech, we face challenges head-on. Moments like this have a way of sharpening our sense of purpose. They remind us why we do the work we do, and why it’s so important to keep moving forward together—with clarity, with strength, and with integrity.
Let me be clear: education is, and will always be, our focus—not the noise, not the distractions. Our responsibility is to our students. That’s where we are investing our energy, and that’s where it belongs.
Sincerely,

John Nicklow, Ph.D.
President

@OKeefeMediaGroup

“Project Veritas video”

Who wants to tell her?

@OKeefeMediaGroup

This is insane. Thousands and thousands of DMs over a couple hours telling me not to back down.

There is literally a patriot army of citizen journalists out there!

@OKeefeMediaGroup

Florida Today's Reporter Rick Neale labeled me a “far-right activist” and quoted FIT President John Nicklow calling my request for comment an 'ambush,' but refused to take my call when I tried to give a statement, after he asked me for comment.

Publishing one side of the story isn’t journalism. That’s selective reporting.

@OKeefeMediaGroup

Does this look like an ambush, Rick Neale? Call me back when you have the guts to talk.

@OKeefeMediaGroup

ICYMI: Florida Tech President John Nicklow was caught on a secret recording discussing how the university is altering public-facing language to dodge political backlash and secure funding.

“Let’s not unnecessarily put a target on our back,” he said, citing pressure from Governor Ron DeSantis’ office and grant risks over keywords like “gender expression” and “climate change.”

@OKeefeMediaGroup

FL TECH SENDS O’KEEFE CEASE AND DESIST + LIVE: OMG HIRING HOUR!

Interested in joining our team? Apply here: https://o-keefe-media-group.breezy.hr

@OKeefeMediaGroup

This is Matthew Tyrmand. He is the board member who fired me from Project Veritas.

While few may know who he is, that's about to change soon.

We've obtained new evidence about what happened. He knows what he did.

That's why he sends pornographic, unhinged messages to me on a weekly basis. That's why one message was a picture of me nailed to a Crucifix. That's why he posted private medical records and intimate texts of employees loved ones who he wanted to harm. The messages were obtained from devices of employees.

That's why he said he wanted to "carve out James heart and eat it in front of him."

This man is afraid because he has been subpoenaed. He has much to hide. He will be brought to justice, so help me God.

Stay tuned.

@OKeefeMediaGroup

JUST IN; FL TECH Board of Trustees Issues Statement:

"Regarding the private meeting of faculty, President Nicklow has taken responsibility for his word choice and expressed his personal regret for how his intention to show empathy for concerned employees may have been perceived. His genuine attempt to reassure uneasy faculty while also highlighting Florida Tech’s compliance was misconstrued and distorted through a heavily edited video...." 

Sincerely,
 
Kirsten Dreggors, Chair
Board of Trustees

@OKeefeMediaGroup

FULL STATEMENT:

Dear Florida Tech Community,
 
Florida Tech’s Board of Trustees remains focused on the University’s mission of STEM educational excellence and strongly supports President Nicklow and his ongoing efforts to ensure the University’s alignment with Governor DeSantis’ direction, including both state and federal compliance.
 
The Board of Trustees takes very seriously the recent situation where President John Nicklow was secretly recorded during a private meeting with faculty. The Board has fully supported Florida Tech’s administration in its ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with evolving state and federal DEI laws and regulations. President Nicklow has diligently led the effort to enforce that compliance while also exemplifying Florida Tech’s core values—especially the core value to “Lead with Integrity, Respect and Community Responsibility.” 
 
Among its ongoing efforts, the University has:
 
• Overhauled all DEI-related web content
• Audited academic programs for compliance
• Engaged senior leadership to reinforce direction
 
We are proud of this progress.
 
Regarding the private meeting of faculty, President Nicklow has taken responsibility for his word choice and expressed his personal regret for how his intention to show empathy for concerned employees may have been perceived. His genuine attempt to reassure uneasy faculty while also highlighting Florida Tech’s compliance was misconstrued and distorted through a heavily edited video. The Board finds this distortion revolting and a distraction from the meaningful work to support students and their success. The University has an amazing team that will remain focused as we move forward with strength and dignity.
 
Sincerely,
 
Kirsten Dreggors, Chair
Board of Trustees

@OKeefeMediaGroup

My response:

Kirsten Dreggors' misconstrued and distorted our reporting through a heavily edited statement.

OMG finds this distortion revolting and an insult to the public's right to know.

OMG has an amazing team and will remain focused on reporting on deliberations at Florida Tech.

@OKeefeMediaGroup

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@OKeefeMediaGroup

One of my jobs is I have to reach out to people for comment before I run a story.

It’s important for everyone including citizen journalists to reach out to people and give them an opportunity to respond before you publish a bombshell on them.

I did this with Biden on the diary and they accused me of “extortion.” (Total Bullshit).

I do this with individuals who’ve done wrong and they accuse me of “doxxing.”

Sometimes you show your cards and the powers that be will use that as leverage to harm the citizen journalist and undermine the story. It doesn’t matter.

There are risks but it’s the right thing to do.

@OKeefeMediaGroup