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Turning Point USA pledges support for JD Vance's 2028 presidential bid
Erika Kirk, widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, announced on Thursday that Turning Point USA will back JD Vance's potential 2028 presidential campaign, despite the current vice president not yet declaring his candidacy.
America Fest kicks off amid internal GOP tensions
The statement came during the opening day of Turning Point's annual America Fest conference in Phoenix, Arizona, the organization's first major gathering since Charlie Kirk's death in September. Erika Kirk framed the effort as a tribute to her late husband, calling Vance a close friend and vowing to secure his election as the 48th U.S. president.
Vance, who has not announced a 2028 run, is scheduled to speak at the event on Sunday.
Turning Point's influence and Trump's coalition
Turning Point USA played a key role in expanding former President Donald Trump's support base, contributing to his 2024 election victory. Erika Kirk's endorsement signals early maneuvering for Trump's successor ahead of the next presidential race.
Conservative movement fractures on display
Following Kirk's remarks, the conference devolved into public infighting among conservative figures. Podcaster Ben Shapiro accused media personalities Candace Owens, Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, and Steve Bannon of being "fraudsters and grifters," criticizing their failure to condemn Owens' past attacks.
Owens, a former Turning Point employee, has drawn criticism for promoting conspiracy theories, including unfounded claims about Charlie Kirk's murder. Shapiro also targeted Carlson for interviewing far-right commentator Nick Fuentes, a Holocaust denier, in October.
"That guy is pompous. Calls to deplatform at a Charlie Kirk event? That's hilarious."
Tucker Carlson, responding to Shapiro
Charlie Kirk's legacy and ongoing divisions
Charlie Kirk's events were known for tackling controversial topics, with supporters defending them as free speech exercises and critics labeling them as divisive. Authorities say his alleged killer, Tyler Robinson, claimed he acted out of frustration with Kirk's rhetoric.
Erika Kirk addressed the movement's divisions, acknowledging disagreements among speakers but framing them as part of American discourse. "We've seen fractures, we've seen bridges being burned that shouldn't be," she said.
Trump's challenges and the conference's next steps
The conference comes as Trump faces setbacks within the Republican Party, including a public rift with ally Marjorie Taylor Greene and backlash over the impending release of the Epstein files, which most GOP lawmakers supported despite Trump's opposition.
The four-day event continues through the weekend, with Vance and Donald Trump Jr. scheduled to speak on Sunday.
