California high school student suspended after defending MAGA hat in tribute dispute over Charlie Kirk

LAGUNA BEACH, FLORIDA: An Orange County high schooler says he was suspended after his “Make America Great Again” hat was snatched and thrown in the trash.

Laguna Beach High School student Zach Hornstein told Fox News that he and several friends wore their red MAGA caps on September 11 to pay tribute to Charlie Kirk, the Turning Point USA co-founder who was shot and killed during an event at a Utah college just one day earlier.

“His death really affected us,” Hornstein said. “I may not agree with everything he says, but I appreciate that he encourages students to think critically, consider both sides, and engage in honest discussions. My mom is an immigrant, and I was brought up to love America. On September 11, I wanted to feel patriotic and show my support for our country as a whole.” 

MAGA hat tossed in school trash leads to student suspension

Hornstein said that at the end of the school day, a female student grabbed his MAGA hat and tossed it into the girls’ bathroom trash can. An argument followed. According to KTTV-TV Fox 11 Los Angeles, the girl used profanity while talking about President Donald Trump. 

Despite the flare-up, Hornstein said the group “got over it and moved on.” But at a teacher’s direction, he filed an incident report and requested a written apology. Instead, the school suspended both students.

Hornstein called the punishment “extremely upsetting” because it disrupted his demanding AP class schedule.

“To this day, I do not understand what I was actually suspended for,” he told Fox News. “During the argument, I jokingly said, ‘If you don’t like America, Canada has open borders,’ which was confirmed by numerous students, including the girl who took my hat off.” 

Zach Hornstein says it was a 'complete overreaction'

Hornstein said he and the girl remain friends and believes school officials mishandled the situation.

“She was suspended as well, and I believe that it was a complete overreaction,” he said. “I think it was a highly emotional day for everyone on 9/11, and she made a mistake for which she later apologized.”

“We were able to work through it in a healthy way, and I wish the adults involved had modeled that same approach instead of creating more division,” he added.

His mom, Janet Semenova, agreed. She told Fox News that her son is an honor roll student who had never been disciplined before and believes politics played a role.

“I think it’s a double standard,” she told Fox 11. “I think kids who have certain political beliefs are held to a different standard than kids who have other political beliefs.” 

Laguna Beach school district denies suspensions tied to politics

The Laguna Beach Unified School District insisted it does not punish students for their political opinions and released a lengthy statement.

“We are legally required to keep student discipline matters confidential to protect the privacy and well-being of all students. Protecting free expression is fundamental to our democracy, and schools play a critical role in helping young people navigate differing viewpoints with respect. Our responsibility as educators is to support students in engaging through constructive dialogue and healthy debate that is respectful, empathetic, and rooted in civil discourse. High school is a formative time, and we are committed to helping students grow into thoughtful citizens who understand both their rights and responsibilities in a diverse community,” a spokesperson told Fox News.

“When disputes arise on campus, schools must evaluate the behavior involved. California law defines the grounds for suspension, and we are reviewing the facts in this situation through that process to ensure it is handled fairly and consistently,” the statement continued.

The district also confirmed its dress code does not ban political apparel. Hornstein said students are allowed to wear clothing with political messages, as long as it is appropriate.

Family to appeal student suspension over MAGA hat clash

Semenova said the family will appeal her son’s suspension before the school board.

“We deeply love this school and its teachers, which makes our disappointment in the administration’s handling of this sensitive situation even more pronounced,” she told Fox News. “What we really want is an acknowledgment from the school that they could have done better and used this as an opportunity for learning and growth, instead of a moment that created further division. It is difficult to be a teenager, and I believe that it is our moral responsibility to help them become more empathetic and tolerant adults. In this, perhaps we can all learn a lesson from the late Charlie Kirk.”

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