TPUSA’s America Fest has had it all.
Drama between Ben Shapiro and Tucker Carlson, a beautiful recognition of Jesus by Russell Brand, and a hint what direction the Republican Party is heading in 2028.
During her keynote speech, TPUSA CEO Erika Kirk revealed she will be completely endorsing Vice President JD Vance in the 2028 presidential election.
Her announcement comes just a week after she shied away from endorsing anyone in 2028 during her CBS News Town Hall with Bari Weiss.
ABC News provided a full scoop on Erika Kirk’s announcement:
Erika Kirk endorsed Vice President JD Vance for president during a Turning Point USA conference in Arizona, vowing to throw one of the most influential conservative organizations in the country behind Vance in 2028.
“We are going to get my husband’s friend JD Vance elected for 48 in the most resounding way possible,” she said during her speech on Thursday night at AmericaFest, the first major Turning Point event since her husband’s assassination.
While the endorsement is not a major surprise given Vance’s close relationship with Charlie Kirk, Erika Kirk and Turning Point, it is significant given the group’s prominence on the right.
Turning Point, founded by Charlie Kirk in 2012, played a key role in helping elect President Donald Trump and shaping the modern conservative movement, particularly among younger voters.
Vance has not yet officially said whether he will run in 2028. In an interview last month with Fox News, Vance said he was focused on the vice presidency and the 2026 midterms but would have a conversation with President Trump after next year’s elections about 2028 .
“We’re going to win the midterms, we’re going to do everything that we can to win the midterms, and then after that, I’m going to sit down with the president of the United States and talk to him about it,” Vance said. “But let’s focus on the now.”
In the wake of Charlie Kirk’s death, Vance credited the Turning Point founder for his own political rise and for building out President Trump’s second administration.
“So much of the success we’ve had in this administration traces directly to Charlie’s ability to organize and convene. He didn’t just help us win in 2024, he helped us staff the entire government,” Vance said in the days after Kirk was fatally shot on Sept. 10 during a campus event at Utah Valley University.
Watch Erika make the announcement below:
NEW: Erika Kirk says her mission is to get JD Vance elected as president in 2028:
“We are going to get my husband’s friend JD Vance elected for 48 in the most resounding way possible.”
pic.twitter.com/tCseTl1FSP— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) December 19, 2025
Watch the full speech here:
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