Video Shows Woman Physically Attacked at University of Michigan Event - Newsweek
Pro-Trump conservative influencer Liz Benichou was physically attacked by a student during an unauthorized political event at the University of Michigan on Sunday.
In videos circulating on social media, a young woman first confronted online creator and commentator "The Older Millennial," also known as Joseph Anthony Redden, who was sitting at a foldout table with signs that read "Is Islam evil?" and "Is Islam compatible with Western value?"
The woman, who is a student at the University of Michigan, approached the table asking "Whereβs your permit?" and declaring that the setup was "f****** stupid," clapping in Reddenβs face and shouting.
The confrontation continued between the woman and onlookers, with several people commenting on her outfit, saying that "she couldnβt go out in public in Iran. Sheβd have to cover up, sheβs got too much skin showing to be in Iran."
The situation escalated when influencer Liz Benichou, who was scheduled to speak at an event on the day, said: "Am I wrong? If she walked around like this in Iran what would happen?"
The young woman then launched herself at Benichou, who was knocked to the ground as onlookers shouted for police assistance.
As a young man pulled the woman away, a police officer stepped in and arrested her on the ground before escorting her to a police vehicle where she continued shouting at Benichou.
"I should have f****** killed you while I had the chance," the young woman yelled as she was placed inside the vehicle.
The University of Michigan Police Department told Newsweek: "On November 1, 2026, at approximately 5:00 p.m., University of Michigan Police Department officers responded to an unpermitted political event on the Diag. As the group was packing up to leave, officers witnessed a University of Michigan student push a woman to the ground."
They added that the student was taken into custody, processed and later released pending warrant authorization.
"The victim, who is not affiliated with the university, later sought medical treatment," the department added.
Conservative activist group Liberty Under Fire USA released a statement after the incident on social media where they identified the arrested woman as a supporter of Abdul El-Sayed, though Newsweek has not yet been able to verify this.
Benichou later released a statement on social media, saying she was "physically assaulted simply for showing up and exercising my First Amendment rights."
She added that, "Political violence has no place in the United States of America. I am incredibly grateful to the law enforcement officers who acted immediately to protect me. I am now in a safe location receiving care and I am going to be OK.
"If the intention was to intimidate or silence me, it will not work," she added.
Newsweek reached out to the University of Michigan and Liz Benichou via email for comment.
Update 11/02/26 06:35 a.m. ET: This story was updated with additional information and comment from the University of Michigan police department.
Newsweekβs reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story. Learn more about Martyn here. Contact Newsweek editors for this story: Robert Greenall and Ben Kelly
