Vance Pushes Unity as Turning Point Movement Faces Infighting
Erika Kirk greets Vice President JD Vance during Turning Point USA's AmericaFest 2025, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)
Vice President JD Vance used a Sunday speech at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest in Phoenix to call on pro-Trump supporters to stop turning on one another and instead focus their energy on defeating Democrats. Speaking to thousands of attendees, Vance said President Trump built his movement by welcoming people in rather than enforcing what he described as “self-defeating purity tests.” Conservatives, he argued, have “more important work to do than canceling each other.”
Vance also blamed Democrats for fostering the climate that led to the shooting death of Turning Point founder Charlie Kirk, asking the crowd whether they were ready to “take the country back from the people who took his life,” according to Politico. Authorities have charged Tyler Robinson in the killing, though his political beliefs have not been clearly established. Donald Trump Jr. echoed that message, telling attendees that “the radical left” was the real enemy and holding it responsible for Kirk’s death.
The four-day conference, which drew an estimated 30,000 Trump supporters, was marked by sharp internal disagreements. On Thursday, conservative commentator Ben Shapiro warned that the movement faced serious risks from what he called “charlatans” who promote conspiracy theories. He singled out Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, and Steve Bannon. Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy backed those concerns, criticizing Carlson for hosting Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes and saying such views “have no place in this movement.” Bannon responded forcefully from the stage, attacking Shapiro and calling him “the farthest thing from MAGA.”
By Sunday, speakers focused on restoring unity. House Speaker Mike Johnson described the moment as a pivotal fight over control of Congress and the nation’s future. Rep. Byron Donalds, who is running for governor of Florida, urged supporters to stay “focused on the mission at hand” despite internal disagreements.
Vance received a warm reception throughout the event. Erika Kirk, who leads Turning Point’s youth organization and is Charlie Kirk’s widow, endorsed Vance for the 2028 presidential race on opening night. She returned to the stage Sunday during a surprise appearance by Nicki Minaj, according to the Associated Press. The rapper praised President Trump and Vice President Vance, calling Trump “handsome” and “dashing,” People reported.
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