AmericaFest 2025, Turning Point USA’s flagship annual conference, held December 18–21 in Phoenix, drew a record 30,000 attendees as a tribute to founder Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated on September 10, 2025, at Utah Valley University.
Kirk had long hosted AmericaFest as his “Super Bowl” event, but this year his widow, Erika Kirk, who became TPUSA CEO, opened and led it with an emotional call for unity amid grief. The lineup featured prominent conservatives, including Vice President JD Vance, Donald Trump Jr., House Speaker Mike Johnson, Ben Shapiro, Tucker Carlson, Steve Bannon, Megyn Kelly, Russell Brand, Jack Posobiec, Benny Johnson, and many more.
However, the event spotlighted deep infighting in the conservative movement, with speakers publicly clashing over ideology and personal grievances. Shapiro sharply criticized Carlson for platforming Nick Fuentes and enabling Candace Owens’ conspiracy theories about Kirk’s murder, calling some figures “frauds and grifters.” Carlson fired back indirectly, mocking calls for deplatforming, while Steve Bannon and Megyn Kelly aligned against Shapiro, with Kelly ending their friendship over his pro-Israel stance.
A major controversy involved Candace Owens, absent but central, who has spread unsubstantiated claims questioning the official narrative of Kirk’s assassination and accusing TPUSA of mishandling or cover-ups. This infighting has sparked a growing divide, often framed as “America First” desires versus strong pro-Israel priorities, fueling accusations of antisemitism on one side and foreign influence on the other.
Some speakers attempted to bridge gaps by focusing on shared conservative goals and honoring Kirk’s legacy of dialogue. Yet the exchanges revealed an impasse, particularly among younger conservatives skeptical of foreign aid, which could fracture unity and affect Republican messaging in the 2026 midterms.
We want to ask you, the reader: is there too much infighting in the conservative movement? Answer in our poll below and comment your thoughts on the AmFest event.
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