Turning Point USA Prepares Flagship Conference Amid Founder’s Murder, Leadership Shift

For the first time since the brutal murder of its founder, Turning Point USA is set to convene its flagship conference on Thursday in Phoenix, a test of the movement’s resilience.

A Gathering After Tragedy

Thousands are expected to attend the four‑day meeting, which will feature Vice President JD Vance, media personalities and a handful of Trump administration officials. Christian rock bands and pastors will also perform, offering attendees the chance to take selfies with popular figures. The event will include discussions on political organizing, religion and conservative critiques of American culture. The conference promises an extended tribute to Charlie Kirk, who many on the right view as a martyr for conservatism and Christianity after being slain at 31.

Leadership in Transition

Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika, will assume a prominent role as the organization’s new leader. She has stepped up public appearances while grieving, speaking at the funeral, forgiving the alleged killer, and attending a Turning Point event in Mississippi in October. Erika is an entrepreneur, podcaster, former Miss Arizona USA 2012, model, actress, casting director, and founder of the Christian clothing line Proclaim. She also runs a ministry that teaches about the Bible. At the memorial, she said, “Charlie and I were united in purpose. His passion was my passion, and now his mission is my mission.”

The Shooter’s Court Appearance

Tyler Robinson, 22, charged with shooting and killing Kirk while he spoke at Utah Valley University in September, appeared in court last week. Robinson has not entered a plea. Authorities say he told his romantic partner that he killed Kirk because he “had enough of his hatred.” The court session highlighted the personal motive behind the act, though no other evidence was presented.

A Movement in Flux

Since Kirk’s death, the party’s populist wing has skirmished over the meaning of “America First” and the future of a movement that has been more defined by Trump’s personality than a coherent ideology. Michael Knowles, a conservative commentator, said at a Turning Point event, “Charlie was the unifying figure for the movement.” He added, “The biggest threat right now is that without that single figure that we were all friends with, who could really hold it together, things could spin off in different directions. We have to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

Speaker Lineup and Internal Feuds

The speaker roster includes Donald Trump Jr., Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Jesse Watters, Steve Bannon, Ben Shapiro and Jack Posobiec. Carlson and Shapiro, who has sharply criticized Fuentes and Carlson, are both scheduled to speak on Thursday, the first day of the conference. The lineup also features some of the biggest names in MAGA media who have openly feuded with each other in recent weeks. The jockeying for influence has accelerated since Kirk’s death, leaving a void in the organization he founded and in the broader conservative movement.

Antisemitism and the Israel Question

Among the fissures that have deepened is whether Republicans should continue their unflinching support for Israel and the war in Gaza. There are also concerns about whether the movement should accommodate people with anti‑Jewish views. The schism burst into the open when the head of the Heritage Foundation, Kevin Roberts, defended Carlson for conducting a friendly interview with podcaster Nick Fuentes, whose followers, known as “groypers,” see themselves as working to preserve a white, Christian identity in America. Roberts’ comments sparked outrage from some Heritage staffers, senators and conservative activists.

Conspiracy Theories and Public Disputes

Turning Point has faced turmoil over conspiracy theories spread by Candace Owens, a former employee who hosts a top‑rated podcast. Owens alleged without evidence that Israeli spies were involved in Kirk’s death and that he was betrayed by people close to him. Authorities say Robinson acted alone. Asked about Owens and others spreading conspiracy theories during a CBS News town hall, Erika responded with one word: “Stop.” She said Owens is making money off her family’s tragedy, adding that conspiracy peddlers risk tainting the jury pool and allowing her husband’s killer to get away.

A Temporary Detente

Last weekend, with the Turning Point conference looming, Kirk and Owens agreed to a temporary detente until a private meeting. It didn’t last long. After the meeting on Monday, Owens said on her show that she and Kirk spoke for 4 ½ hours but she still doubted that Robinson acted alone. Kirk wrote on X that they had “a very productive conversation” and it was “time to get back to work.”

The Future of the Movement

The last time Turning Point held its AmericaFest conference, weeks after Trump’s comeback victory one year ago, the MAGA movement was ebullient as Republicans prepared for a new era of total control in Washington. Now the party faces challenging midterm elections, with Trump constitutionally prohibited from running again and his more ideologically motivated acolytes positioning to steer the movement after he leaves office. Meanwhile, conservatives have been roiled by conflicts over antisemitism in its ranks, which Trump has declined to mediate.

Erika’s Vision for the Organization

Erika Kirk has slowly stepped up her public appearances while grieving her husband. She has said that “Charlie’s mission was to help young men like his killer.” Her goal is to make everything that Turning Point USA built through Charlie’s vision and hard work “10 times greater through the power of his memory.” She is taking on the demanding job leading an organization that resonated in particular with young men.

Key Takeaways

• Turning Point USA will hold its flagship conference in Phoenix for the first time since Charlie Kirk’s murder.
• Erika Kirk has assumed a leading role and vows to honor her husband’s mission.
• The event features high‑profile speakers, including Trump Jr., Carlson, and Shapiro, amid internal feuds and controversy over antisemitism.

The conference will serve as a litmus test for the movement’s ability to stay united without its founder, while also confronting the challenges posed by internal divisions, conspiracy theories, and the broader political landscape.