This claim was denied by the university, as well as by professor Jerome A. Cohen, Chen's mentor who arranged for his placement at NYU. Despite these denials, his departure followed within days of NYU's agreement with the Chinese authorities to open the NYU Shanghai campus. Chen's close association with conservative Christian and anti-abortion figures since coming to the United States, including representative Chris Smith, pastor Bob Fu, and media consultant Mark Corallo, has concerned old supporters like Cohen.
The claim was refuted by the university, as well as professor Jerome A. Cohen, Chen's mentor who facilitated his move to NYU. Despite these denials, his departure followed shortly after NYU's agreement with Chinese authorities to open the NYU Shanghai campus. Chen's close ties to conservative Christian and anti-abortion figures since arriving in the United States, including representative Chris Smith, pastor Bob Fu, and media consultant Mark Corallo, have raised concerns among previous supporters like Cohen.