By Hannah Parry, Amanda Castro, and Robert Birsel
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Vice President JD Vance appeared at the University of Mississippi on Wednesday for a Turning Point USA (TPUSA) event honoring slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The visit marks the first stop on the “This Is the Turning Point” campus tour, led by Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, who introduced Vance before a student Q&A session modeled after her husband’s signature style.
What to Know:
- Vice President JD Vance spoke at Ole Miss on Wednesday, October 29, in tribute to Charlie Kirk.
- Erika Kirk, widow of Charlie Kirk and president of TPUSA, introduced Vance.
- The event is part of TPUSA’s “This Is the Turning Point” campus series.
- Admission was free with advance registration; students receive priority entry.
- The full event streamed on Fox Nation, followed by a documentary premiere on November 7.
- Vance previously discussed the tour on The Charlie Kirk Show, calling it a way to continue Kirk’s mission.
- Charlie Kirk was assassinated last month at Utah Valley University.
Newsweek's live blog is closed.
Oct 29, 2025 at 09:54 PM EDT
IN PICTURES: Erika Kirk and Vice President JD Vance at event honoring slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
...
...
...
...
...
Oct 29, 2025 at 08:41 PM EDT
JD Vance ends speech at Turning Point by urging students to get involved in politics
JD Vance ended his Turning Point USA speech by urging students to get involved in politics "to save the United States of America."
"Perhaps the greatest contribution that you can make to Charlie Kirk's legacy is getting involved and saving this country," he added. "Don't just complain about social media. Get up and get involved in a campaign.
"I'm in the fight and I know every single one of you are with me. God bless you and thank you for having me."
...
Oct 29, 2025 at 08:34 PM EDT
Vance urges students at Turning Point to start having babies while young
Vice President JD Vance told the thousands of students attending the Turning Point USA event at Ole Miss that the most useful advice from Charlie Kirk was to start having children while they were young.
"Charlie wanted you more than anything to invest in the things that were worth having to build a life that was worth building," Vance said. "Now, now, most of you are probably too young to have found the person you're going to spend the rest of your life with. Some of you are lucky enough to have found that person already, but I will tell you, if you're as lucky and blessed as I have been, it hits you like a ton of bricks. And I have found that person and my lovely wife, Usha, our second lady who is here with us today. She's sitting in the audience somewhere. I don't know where, but I love you, honey.
"And have children... Here's the thing. The one regret, the only regret that I really have in my entire life. And I've made plenty of mistakes. But the one regret that I have is that, frankly, I wish we had started having kids sooner because when you're a young father, you realize what an incredible blessing they are. But they're also very exhausting. And I know here at Ole Miss we like to party a lot and I know it.
"The things that I have learned in my old age is that incredible energy, God actually meant it for another purpose, and that purpose was to help take care of a family. So while you're young, have those babies if you're able to. That's something Charlie said all the time. But but if you think of that advice, if you think of that advice Charlie wanted you to get married. He wanted you to fall in love. He wanted you to build his family. He wanted you to find a vocation. That was the advice that he gave on campuses. But that's not just about you. That's also about our country and about our government. Because while you have the freedom to live life as you so choose, I have got a responsibility as your vice president to make the American dream as accessible as possible*.*"
Oct 29, 2025 at 08:24 PM EDT
JD Vance says more than 10,000 students turned out to tonight’s Turning Point event
The vice president thanked Erika Kirk for her speech, before addressing what he said was a crowd of 10,000 students from across Mississippi.
"We are proud to have you. And we know that you are the future of Charlie Kirk's legacy. So thank you for being here," he said.
Oct 29, 2025 at 08:22 PM EDT
JD Vance recalls conversation with Charlie Kirk a few months before his death
JD Vance described a phone call with Charlie Kirk, just a few months before the conservative commentator's death, during his speech at Turning Point USA.
"Charlie Kirk called me and guys, he was mad. It was one, you know, I wouldn't say the last conversation that I had with him, but it was in the last few months of his life," Vance said.
"He called me and he said, J.D., 'I'm really worried. I'm really worried that what's going on in the Middle East right now is going to lead the United States into a protracted military conflict'.
"I never told anybody that that Charlie was really worried about that in the final months of his life. Now, here's the thing, Charlie was so effective and he was so, so trusted by both me and the president of United States that when Charlie made that phone call, I didn't say, screw you. You don't know what you're talking about. You're talking about. I listened to him.
"And I really believe that one of the reasons why the president of the United States knocked out the Iranian nuclear facilities, but never got the United States into a protracted military conflict and never lost a single American in a middle eastern conflict is because we had the wisdom and the good sense to recognize that the American people are done with American troops dying in unnecessary foreign conflicts. But Charlie Kirk reminded me of that."
Oct 29, 2025 at 08:06 PM EDT
Erika Kirk says she sees similarities between JD Vance and her late husband
Erika Kirk says that she sees "some similarities" between her late husband Charlie Kirk, and JD Vance as she introduced the vice president onto the stage.
"That's why I'm so blessed to be able to introduce him tonight. Because he understands the fight that we're up against, and he can articulate that in a way," she added. "He's an amazing man."
Oct 29, 2025 at 08:02 PM EDT
Kirk admits students may lose friends for attending Turning Point rallies, but urges them to put it into ‘perspective’
Erika Kirk told students that "you might lose some friends" for wearing a MAGA hat or attending a Turning Point USA rally, but that "the assassination of my husband puts into perspective."
"Your generation is living at a crossroads," she said, addressing Gen Z, "and you are living in one of the most defining moments in American history. We are all witnessing in real time the battle that is raging for the soul of your generation again, your generation.
"This is far more than political, and you will hear the world, and the culture for that matter pressure you and say, go with the flow. Don't ruffle feathers. Don't say that you might offend someone. You might lose some friends. If you wear a red hat. If you go to a turning point USA chapter, then. But when I hear that, I just. I need to be sober and honest with you now because before when I heard it, I said, okay, now when I hear that. If you're worried about losing a friend. You might. I lost my friend. I lost my best friend. And if you're nervous about standing up for the truth, the assassination of my husband puts into perspective. All those fears, it really does."
Oct 29, 2025 at 07:53 PM EDT
Erika Kirk thanks governors DeSantis, Youngkin for support
Erika Kirk thanked Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin for their support, during her Turning Point USA tour speech.
Kirk, Charlie Kirk's widow, said she wanted to give DeSantis "a massive shout out" for announcing a partnership with Turning Point USA which will allow any student in a Florida high school to start a Club America chapter.
"There will be no impediments to that and certainly no discrimination," she said.
Kirk also thanked Gov. Youngkin for his "generous" donation to Turning Point USA.
Oct 29, 2025 at 07:44 PM EDT
Erika Kirk speaks about ‘the enemy’ during Turning Point USA speech
Erika Kirk discussed what she described as "the enemy" during her Turning Point USA speech at Ole Miss on Wednesday.
Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk, said that as she was coming to grips with his loss, she was starting to realize that "the enemy, he doesn't want you. He wants your territory. He wants your influence."
Kirk did not say who she considers to be the enemy.
Oct 29, 2025 at 07:40 PM EDT
Erika Kirk says Turning Point supporters help her feel closer to her husband
Erika Kirk thanked the thousands of Turning Point supporters who had turned out to attend tonight's event at Ole Miss.
"It's a tremendous honor and blessing to be on stage today," she said.
"I want to thank you all. Also, on a personal level, I love it. For all of your prayers and all of your support, not only for our family, but for the Turning Point USA family, which includes all of you, especially those that are students. Part of the Turning Point USA chapter. So all about this is what the future of our country is all about. And I want to thank you all.
"Also, on a personal level, for all of your prayers and all of your support, not only for our family, but for the Turning Point USA family, which includes all of you, especially those that are students... You guys have no idea how helpful it is to have all of you in my life, because you help me feel even more deeply connected to my husband, and I thank you for that. I thank all of you for. And I say that also because you guys are the heartbeat of Turning Point USA."
Oct 29, 2025 at 07:36 PM EDT
Erika Kirk takes the stage at Turning Point event
Erika Kirk has walked out onto the stage at tonight's Turning Point event.
Oct 29, 2025 at 07:19 PM EDT
Where did Charlie Kirk go to college?
Charlie Kirk briefly attended Harper College, a community college in Palatine, Illinois, before leaving to focus full time on political activism.
He was accepted to Baylor University but chose instead to grow Turning Point USA, which he founded at age 18.
Kirk later took online courses at King’s College in New York but did not complete a degree. Despite not finishing college, he became one of the most visible young conservative figures in the country.
Oct 29, 2025 at 06:52 PM EDT
When was Charlie Kirk shot?
Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was shot and killed on September 10, 2025, while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.
The shooting occurred during an event on his “American Comeback Tour” and sparked national outrage over political violence.
Witnesses said Kirk was struck in the upper body as he addressed the crowd. The attack remains under investigation, and political leaders across the spectrum have condemned the killing.
Oct 29, 2025 at 06:41 PM EDT
Turning Point USA Tour: What to know, list of events
Vice President JD Vance is set to appear tonight at the University of Mississippi for a Turning Point USA event honoring slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The visit marks the first stop on the “This Is the Turning Point” campus tour, led by Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, who will introduce Vance before a student Q&A session modeled after her husband’s signature style.
Read in full from Gabe Whisnant on Newsweek.
Oct 29, 2025 at 06:37 PM EDT
Who is speaking on the Turning Points USA Tour?
- Michael Knowles, an American conservative political commentator, author, and media host.
- Former Fox News host Megyn Kelly
- Governor of Virginia Glenn Youngkin
- Alex Clark: Speaker at the Utah State University stop on Sept. 30.
- U.S. Senator for Utah Mike Lee
- U.S. Rep. from Arizona Andy Biggs
- Former U.S. Rep. from Utah Jason Chaffetz
- Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson
- Donald Trump's son Eric Trump and daughter-in-law Lara Trump
- U.S. Senator for Alabama Tommy Tuberville
- Charlie Kirk's widow Erika Trump
Oct 29, 2025 at 06:21 PM EDT
Turning Point USA Tour: Full List of Stops
The Turning Point USA Tour is traveling across at least 11 states, featuring prominent conservative speakers such as Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly and JD Vance.
- Sept 22: University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN - Hosted by Michael Knowles
- Sept 24: Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA - With Megyn Kelly & Glenn Youngkin
- Sept 30: Utah State University, Logan, UT - With Alex Clark, Mike Lee, Spencer Cox, Jason Chaffetz
- Oct 7: Montana State University, Bozeman, MT - With Vivek Ramaswamy & Greg Gianforte
- Oct 9: University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND - Featuring Glenn Beck
- Oct 16: University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
- Oct 21: Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, IN - With Tucker Carlson
- Oct 27: Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA - With Allie Beth Stuckey & Jeff Landry
- Oct 29: University of Mississippi (“Ole Miss”), Oxford, MS - With Erika Kirk and Vice President JD Vance
- Nov 5: Auburn University, Auburn, AL - Guests TBA
- Nov 10: University of California, Berkeley, CA - With Rob Schneider & Frank Turek
Oct 29, 2025 at 06:13 PM EDT
What is Turning Point USA?
Turning Point USA (TPUSA), founded in 2012 by Charlie Kirk, has become a major force in U.S. campus politics. With chapters on thousands of high school and college campuses, the group promotes conservative ideals like free markets, limited government, and individual liberty.
The organization has drawn significant controversy, particularly over its “Professor Watchlist,” which names educators accused of promoting left-wing ideas or discriminating against conservative students. Critics argue the list often targets professors based on social media posts rather than classroom conduct, sparking debates over harassment, free speech, and academic freedom. TPUSA’s messaging and fundraising tactics have also faced scrutiny, with detractors claiming the group pushes sharply partisan rhetoric.
Oct 29, 2025 at 06:08 PM EDT
WATCH: Footage shows lines of students, Kirk fans stretching around the block ahead of Turning Point event
Oct 29, 2025 at 05:59 PM EDT
MAGA rapper Tom MacDonald reacts to Lara Trump’s suggestion he performs at TPUSA halftime show
MAGA-affiliated rapper Tom MacDonald has responded to Lara Trump's suggestion that he should perform at Turning Point USA's version of the Super Bowl halftime show.
The conservative activist group, also known as TPUSA—led by co-founder Charlie Kirk until his death—announced it would host its own halftime show, or “All American Halftime Show,” in February 2026, following discontent over the NFL's decision to feature Bad Bunny as the Super Bowl LX halftime headliner. The event intends to create a conservative alternative for viewers dissatisfied with the football league's direction.
On an episode of Lara Trump's podcast, The Right View with Lara Trump, the 43-year-old described hypothetical artists she’d like to see perform at TPUSA's show, including country musician Chris Stapleton and MAGA-affiliated rapper Tom MacDonald.
"When Bad Bunny was announced as the Super Bowl halftime performer.... I can tell you there a lot of people who are not happy about it. And so Turning Point was like, 'You know what? We're gonna do our own thing. We'll have our own halftime show. We don't need Bad Bunny or any of these people,'" she said. While thinking about who she would like to see perform, Donald Trump's daughter-in-law, said: "Tom MacDonald, 100 percent. I think I talked about him the last time we did a Q&A episode...I said I'd like to perform on stage with him, do a little karaoke sesh, absolutely. I think he's awesome, I would love to see that happen."
In a statement to Newsweek, MacDonald responded: "Lara is a brilliant woman and clearly has exceptional taste in music. Hopefully we can make her suggestion a reality."
The Canadian rapper, known for his right-wing lyrics, also shared a video to his social media accounts: "Lara Trump thinks I'd be a good alternative to Bad Bunny and I should play the Turning Point USA halftime show for the Super Bowl," he said. "What do you guys think? Let me know. Let's make this happen."
Oct 29, 2025 at 05:32 PM EDT
Will Morgan Wallen, Jason Aldean play the Turning Point USA halftime show?
An online rumor stating that Morgan Wallen and Jason Aldean will perform at Turning Point USA (TPUSA)'s halftime show appears to be false.
TPUSA is the conservative organization co-founded by political activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed at a public debate event at Utah Valley University last month.
Newsweek reached out to TPUSA, as well as Wallen and Aldean's representatives, via email for comment on Tuesday.
Last month's selection of Bad Bunny as the official performer for Super Bowl LX's halftime show ignited a cultural debate, with TPUSA launching a simultaneous alternative event in protest. The NFL's announcement drew significant backlash from some conservative and MAGA [Make America Great Again] circles, who argued the show should reflect more traditional American culture. Bad Bunny sings almost exclusively in Spanish and has openly criticized President Donald Trump in the past.
Amid this controversy, a social media post involving Wallen and Aldean has taken off online.
"Morgan Wallen and Jason Aldean confirm that they will duet the Star Spangled Banner at the Turning Points [sic] USA Halftime Show," the X post by @NewswirePatriot reads. "Will you be watching?" At the time of publication, the note has racked up more than 178,800 views and over 17,000 likes.
Despite the nature of the post appearing as fact, no performers have been officially announced to date.
Read in full from Megan Cartwright on Newsweek.
Oct 29, 2025 at 05:19 PM EDT
How to watch JD Vance, Erika Kirk on Turning Point Tour at Ole Miss
Fox News will air the Turning Point event at the Ole Miss campus on Jesse Watters Primetime.
The full event will also be streamed live on Fox Nation.
People could also attend the event in person for free, although participants had to register in advance before attending, with students receiving priority. Gates opened at 4 p.m. ET and the event is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. ET.
Oct 29, 2025 at 04:55 PM EDT
Hundreds of students brave rain for Ole Miss Turning Point USA event with JD Vance, Erika Kirk
Hundreds of University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) students were seen lining the sidewalks in the rain on Wednesday afternoon, as they waited for tonight's Turning Point USA (TPUSA) campus event with Vice President JD Vance and Erika Kirk.
The Charlie Kirk supporters, many wearing MAGA hats, began gathering outside The Pavilion at the university early Wednesday morning.
Leslie Lachman, president of the Turning Point USA chapter at Ole Miss, told Fox News that the atmosphere on campus was "electric."
"We are so beyond thrilled that they chose Ole Miss," she said. "It’s an American-loving college, and we’re seeing red, white, and blue. People lined up for hours in the rain. The energy has been electric, and we can’t wait to see this event happen."
Oct 29, 2025 at 04:30 PM EDT
Riley Gaines praises Erika Kirk ahead of Ole Miss TPUSA event
Riley Gaines, former NCAA swimmer and conservative activist, offered strong praise for Erika Kirk ahead of Wednesday’s Turning Point USA event at the University of Mississippi, where Kirk will speak alongside Vice President JD Vance.
“I’ve known her for a while,” Gaines said during a recent appearance on Fox & Friends. “She is a force, she is beautiful, she is strong, she is confident, she is compassionate… and she’s faith-driven.”
Gaines said she’s inspired by Kirk’s leadership following the assassination of her husband, TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk, last month in Utah. “How tragic, of course, the situation and the circumstances that ultimately led us here,” Gaines said, “but I feel so hopeful, I feel so inspired.”
The Ole Miss event marks Erika Kirk’s third public appearance since Charlie Kirk’s death and is part of a national campus tour honoring his legacy. Gaines said she expects a strong turnout and emphasized the growing interest among Gen Z conservatives: “We’ve seen so many young kids inquiring about how to get involved.”
Oct 29, 2025 at 04:19 PM EDT
Ole Miss was one of the schools Charlie Kirk was schedule to speak at
Erika Kirk, widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, will speak alongside Vice President JD Vance at the University of Mississippi on Wednesday as part of Turning Point USA’s campus tour.
The event, scheduled for 5 p.m. CT at the Pavilion at Ole Miss, continues the itinerary Charlie Kirk had planned before his death last month.
Turning Point USA says the tour is a tribute to Kirk’s legacy and mission to engage young conservatives. Ole Miss was among the next stops on his schedule before the fatal shooting in Utah.
...
Oct 29, 2025 at 04:11 PM EDT
Erika Kirk takes over husband Charlie’s organization, Turning Point USA
Turning Point USA has formally transitioned leadership to Erika Kirk, widow of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk, following a unanimous board vote in September. The move fulfills Charlie Kirk’s reported wishes that his wife assume control of the organization in the event of his death.
Erika Kirk now serves as chief executive and board chair of TPUSA, which has seen a surge in youth engagement since Charlie Kirk was fatally shot last month at Utah Valley University. The group says it received over 50,000 new chapter and membership requests in the week following his death.
In remarks shortly after the arrest of 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, now charged with aggravated murder, Erika Kirk vowed to expand her husband’s legacy: “We will not surrender. We will make Turning Point the biggest thing this nation has ever seen.”
Oct 29, 2025 at 04:03 PM EDT
Turning Point USA continues its ‘American come back’ tour
Vice President JD Vance will appear on Wednesday at the University of Mississippi for a Turning Point USA event honoring slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The event marks the first stop on TPUSA’s “This Is the Turning Point” campus tour, led by Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk.
Erika Kirk, who now serves as TPUSA president, will introduce Vance before a student-led Q&A session modeled after her husband’s signature campus style. Admission is free with advance registration, and students will receive priority entry. Doors open at 3 p.m. CT with TSA-style screening; the event begins at 5 p.m. CT.
Fox News will broadcast the event live on “Jesse Watters Primetime,” with full coverage streaming on Fox Nation. A limited-edition documentary series featuring behind-the-scenes footage will premiere Friday, Nov. 7.
Kirk was assassinated last month at Utah Valley University. Vance, a close friend, said the tour is part of continuing Kirk’s mission to engage young conservatives.
“Part of keeping Charlie’s memory alive is keeping the mission alive,” Vance said earlier this month on “The Charlie Kirk Show.”
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines