Turning Point USA will open its flagship annual conference Thursday for the first time since the assassination of its founder, Charlie Kirk, marking a pivotal moment for a conservative movement grappling with internal divisions and an uncertain future after helping return President Donald Trump to the White House.
Kirk transformed the youth-oriented organization into a powerful force on the American right, mobilizing college students, online influencers and Republican leaders. His death, however, has left a leadership and ideological vacuum at a time when conservatives are increasingly divided over the meaning of “America First” and the direction of a movement long shaped more by Trump’s personality than a shared policy agenda.
Thousands of attendees are expected at the four-day conference in Phoenix, where Vice President JD Vance, conservative media figures and several Trump administration officials are scheduled to speak. The event will also feature Christian rock bands, pastors and panel discussions on political organizing, religion and cultural issues. As in past years, attendees will have opportunities to interact with prominent conservative personalities.
Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, will play a central role as the organization’s new leader. Organizers say the conference will serve as an extended tribute to her husband, who many supporters now regard as a martyr for conservatism and Christianity following his killing at age 31.
Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old charged with fatally shooting Kirk during a speech at Utah Valley University in September, appeared in court last week but has not entered a plea. Authorities say Robinson told a romantic partner that he killed Kirk because he “had enough of his hatred.”
The last AmericaFest conference, held weeks after Trump’s return to office, was marked by optimism among Republicans anticipating unified control in Washington. This year’s gathering comes amid a more complicated political landscape, with Trump barred by the Constitution from seeking another term and competing factions positioning themselves to shape the post-Trump future.
The movement has also been roiled by disputes over antisemitism within conservative ranks — tensions Trump has largely declined to address.
Known for its high-energy production style, Turning Point USA events resemble rock concerts or megachurch services more than traditional political rallies, complete with elaborate staging, pyrotechnics and booming soundtracks.
The speaker lineup includes many of the most influential voices in MAGA media and conservative activism — among them Donald Trump Jr., Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Jesse Watters, Steve Bannon, Ben Shapiro and Jack Posobiec — some of whom have publicly clashed with one another in recent weeks.
The jockeying for influence within the movement has intensified since Kirk’s death, underscoring the challenge of sustaining unity without the charismatic leader who helped hold it together.
