Turning Point USA began its first national conference since the death of Charlie Kirk. The event tends to be a rallying point for conservatives, but divisions within MAGA are clear.
MILES PARKS, HOST:
It's been roughly three months since right-wing activist Charlie Kirk was shot, and the organization he founded, Turning Point USA, is trying to keep his movement alive. More than 30,000 supporters gathered in Phoenix this weekend for AmericaFest, Turning Point's annual conference. NPR political reporter Elena Moore is here covering this first major gathering since Kirk's death, and she joins us now. Hello Elena.
ELENA MOORE, BYLINE: Hi, Miles.
PARKS: So let's start there. What will this event be like without Charlie Kirk? I think he's on people's minds.
MOORE: Yes. Well, in some ways it's very similar to the Turning Point events I talked about earlier. It features a variety of merchandise promoting conservative and Christian causes, as well as a number of appearances by prominent right-wing politicians and members of the media, who often turn out for fireworks and light displays, almost like a concert.
But, you know, that's how it is. There are also a lot of reminders of Charlie Kirk and his death hanging over this event. They sell shirts similar to the white liberty shirt Kirk was wearing when he was killed. And there's even a tent reminiscent of the “Prove Me Wrong” event he was attending when he was shot.
PARKS: And his widow, Erica Kirk, also became the CEO of the organization. This is the largest event she has held so far. What was her message?
MOORE: Well, she vowed to continue her husband's legacy and move the organization forward, really building on his message of, you know, creating a youth chapter of the Republican Party.
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ERIKA KIRK: Don't you dare let anyone tell you that you're too young, not smart enough, and not connected enough. As long as you are part of Turning Point USA, we will empower you and do whatever it takes to make it a reality.
MOORE: But Erica Kirk is taking over at what is a tense time for the movement, and that has overshadowed some of Turning Point's broader messaging in recent days.
PARKS: Right. I understand that there was some disagreement between the keynote speakers. Can you explain what's happening?
MOORE: Yeah, I mean, things got heated Thursday when conservative commentator Ben Shapiro accused a group of right-wing media personalities of entertaining conspiracy theories, particularly those related to the death of Charlie Kirk. He also singled out Tucker Carlson, criticizing a recent interview Carlson gave with far-right influencer and Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes, a man Charlie Kirk did not support.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
BEN SHAPIRO: He knew that Nick Fuentes was an evil troll and that his parenting was an act of moral idiocy. And that's exactly what Tucker Carlson did. He helped Nick Fuentes.
MOORE: And you know, Carlson then came forward and disputed those claims, adding that he's not an anti-Semite. But Shapiro's broader criticism of what numbers should be amplified and what information promoted continued to be heard on both nights of programming so far.
PARKS: In the last couple of days, you've also been talking to some of the young people who attend this event, AmericaFest. What are they telling you?
MOORE: Yeah, I've talked to longtime Turning Point supporters who are really just heartbroken, like 25-year-old Ange Perez, who lives in the area.
ANGE PEREZ: It really excites me because I looked at him as my hero. And I always saw him as the older brother I never had.
MOORE: But, you know, beyond that pain, Miles, a lot of young people have told me that Kirk's death really motivated them to learn more about Conservative politics. You know, one woman who decided to come to the conference after Kirk's murder told me that this was a wake-up call. So this kind of interest could in some ways be a good sign for Turning Point's future development.
PARKS: There are even more speakers scheduled for tonight and tomorrow. What else are you going to watch?
MOORE: Yes, tomorrow will most likely be a dead heat. Donald Trump Jr., the president's son, will speak, and Vice President Vance, J.D. Vance, will give closing remarks. This is a change from other major “Turning Point” events in recent years, which were often headlined by President Trump. So the change could signal how this group views the next group of GOP leaders heading into 2028. And, you know, Erica Kirk has kind of already expressed her opinion on this matter. On the first day of the conference, she actually endorsed Vance.
PARKS: It's worth noting that Vance hasn't said he's going to run, although he'll obviously be the favorite. Do you think Kirk's support is a big deal?
MOORE: I mean, yeah, because Turning Point has a significant influence on the MAGA youth movement. Trump was successful among voters under 30 in the 2024 election, and Republicans want to maintain that engagement, especially Miles, since by 2028, Gen Z millennials, people under 45, will make up more than half of all eligible voters.
PARKS: This is NPR political reporter Elena Moore, reporting from Phoenix. Thank you.
MOORE: Thank you, Miles.
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