Key Takeaways
- The Turning Point USA (TPUSA) conference exposed deep ideological disagreements within the conservative movement in the US
- Prominent conservative figures, including Ben Shapiro, Tucker Carlson, and Megyn Kelly, clashed on issues such as bigotry, conspiracy theories, and US support for Israel
- The conference highlighted the rift within the Republican Party and the Make America Great Again (MAGA) base
- Debates centered around issues such as free speech, platforming, and who is considered an American
- The conference featured a mix of Republican elected officials, conservative media figures, and celebrities, including US Vice President JD Vance and Steve Bannon
Introduction to Turning Point USA
Turning Point USA (TPUSA) is a US-based nonprofit conservative group established in 2012 by Charlie Kirk, who was killed in September. The organization operates over 850 chapters on college campuses nationwide and works to mobilize and train young conservatives in high schools, colleges, and universities, advocating for free-market principles and limited government. The AmericaFest conference, held annually since 2021, combines political speeches, networking, and cultural programming aimed at galvanizing young conservative activists. The recent conference in Phoenix, Arizona, brought together Republican leaders, media personalities, and conservative activists, exposing the underlying rift within the ruling Republican Party and US President Donald Trump’s Make America Great Again (MAGA) base.
The AmericaFest Conference
The conference featured a mix of Republican elected officials, prominent conservative media figures, and celebrities. Among the most prominent voices were Ben Shapiro, Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, US Vice President JD Vance, Erika Kirk, and Steve Bannon. The event saw some of the biggest names in conservatism take turns attacking each other on stage, with debates centered around issues such as US support for Israel, bigotry, free speech, and platforming. The conference highlighted the deep ideological disagreements within the conservative movement, with some speakers accusing others of being "grifters" and "charlatans" for amplifying conspiratorial and extremist figures.
Debates and Clashes
Ben Shapiro made a blistering critique of several fellow conservatives, most notably Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly, describing them as "grifters" and "charlatans" for amplifying so-called conspiratorial and extremist figures in the broader conservative movement. Shapiro attacked Carlson’s decision to host far-right figure Nick Fuentes on his podcast, calling it "an act of moral imbecility." Carlson responded directly, mocking Shapiro’s criticism and framing attempts to ostracize certain voices as divisive. Megyn Kelly was also criticized by Shapiro for refusing to condemn Candace Owens over unsubstantiated claims of a conspiracy involving the US and Israeli governments in the killing of Charlie Kirk. The debates and clashes on stage exposed the intense ideological clash within the Republican-aligned media sphere.
Israel and Bigotry
The issue of Israel came up repeatedly during the conference, with some speakers questioning the Republican Party’s historically steadfast support for Israel and its conflict with Trump’s "America First" platform. Steve Bannon accused Shapiro and others who staunchly support Israel of being part of "the ‘Israel First’ crowd." Tucker Carlson strongly criticized certain Christian ministers who he claimed justified the killing of innocent people in a reference to Israel’s war on Gaza. The conference also saw debates around bigotry, with some speakers condemning hate speech and others accusing others of being "guilty of cowardice" for not speaking out against it. Former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy condemned bigotry and hate on the right, saying that anyone who normalizes hatred towards any ethnic or religious group "does not have a place as a leader" in the conservative movement.
Who is an American?
The conference also saw debates around the idea of who is an American, with some speakers questioning the idea of deciding who is an American based on one’s ancestry or heritage. Ramaswamy argued that "the idea that a ‘heritage American’ is more American than another American is un-American at its core." He stated that one is an American if they believe in the rule of law, freedom of conscience and expression, colorblind meritocracy, the US Constitution, and the American dream, and if they are a citizen who swears exclusive allegiance to the nation. However, his stance differs from that of his party colleague Vice President Vance, who expressed concerns against granting citizenship to someone who agrees with the principles of the Declaration of Independence. Vance highlighted the Trump administration’s efforts to end diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, which were aimed at ensuring equal opportunities to communities that have historically faced obstacles.
Conclusion
The Turning Point USA conference exposed the deep ideological disagreements within the conservative movement in the US, highlighting the rift within the Republican Party and the Make America Great Again (MAGA) base. The debates and clashes on stage centered around issues such as bigotry, conspiracy theories, US support for Israel, and who is considered an American. The conference featured a mix of Republican elected officials, conservative media figures, and celebrities, and saw some of the biggest names in conservatism take turns attacking each other. The event highlighted the intense ideological clash within the Republican-aligned media sphere and the challenges facing the conservative movement in the US.
