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Lil Nas X was not accepted to Liberty University’s biblical studies program
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- A Liberty University spokesperson said Lil Nas X did not apply to the school.
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Singer Lil Nas X got social media users talking after he posted what looked like an acceptance letter to Liberty University’s Christian leadership and biblical studies program.
Lil Nas X is known for his Gen Z comedy and for poking fun at religion while using Christian imagery and themes in his music. In a video for his 2021 song "Montero (Call Me By Your Name)" he gave Satan a lap dance.
And the acceptance letter was more of the same.
The singer posted his purported acceptance letter to Liberty University days before the release of his latest song, "J Christ." In the music video for that song, Lil Nas X compared himself with Jesus, using imagery of himself on a crucifix.
In an Instagram post that received more than 520,000 likes, he wrote, "I know some of yall hate me right now but i want yall to know I’m literally about to go to college for biblical studies in the fall. Not everything is a troll!"
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Some people were in on the joke, but others seemed confused. One user commented, "This has to be fake right? Cause ain’t no way…". Another user commented, "Now that lil nas has money he can afford to go to school".
On TikTok some users wondered if the singer would attend Liberty University based on his post.
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A spokesperson from Liberty University told PolitiFact that the school did not issue the acceptance letter and it has no record of Lil Nas X applying.
The purported acceptance letter was signed by Jerry Falwell, who founded Liberty University but died in 2007.
We rate the claim that Lil Nas X was accepted to Liberty University False.
UPDATE, Jan. 18, 2024: This fact-check has been updated to include comment from a Liberty University spokesperson. The rating is unchanged.
Our Sources
Instagram post (archived), Jan. 9. 2024
YouTube video, "J Christ," Jan. 12, 2024
YouTube video, "Montero (Call Me By Your Name," Mar. 26, 2021
The Washington Post, "Liberty University says Lil Nas X’s admission letter is fake," Jan. 12, 2024
Liberty Flames, "Jerry Falwell, Founder of Liberty University, Dies at 73," May, 15 2007
Email exchange with Liberty University spokesperson Ryan Helfenbein, Jan. 17, 2024
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Lil Nas X was not accepted to Liberty University’s biblical studies program
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