Turning Point USA conference attendees in Phoenix say the organization is back stronger — and resonating with women — following co-founder Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
Turning Point is in the midst of its annual AmericaFest celebration at the Phoenix Conference Center this week.
It’s significantly bigger than ever before, with 30,000 attendees, about 50% more than in 2024.
Ellie Brown, who came from Texas, is 18 and the vice president of her high school’s Turning Point chapter.
She said in a way, Charlie Kirk’s death has made Turning Point even stronger:
“I mean I would say honestly it’s better after his death, I think that so many more people were drawn in obviously no one will live up to his legacy or be who he was but his death brought in so many more people, and I feel like that was his ultimate goal,” Brown said.
Brown also said the organization’s new leader, Kirk’s widow, Erika, is drawing in more young women to the group.
This year, the majority of attendees are women, despite Charlie Kirk being widely known for attracting young men to the movement.
Attendee Stefanie Barela made the trip from California. She said his death served as a wakeup call for conservatives everywhere, and cited something else she said she came from a Turning Point leader, that Charlie Kirk came to wake up the men and Erika Kirk came to wake up the women.
“I think a lot of people did not know about Charlie Kirk until he was assassinated, so it’s just — it’s growing like wildfire now which is fantastic. So, God’s plan is always greater,” Barela said.
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The overall feeling of Turning Point USA’s annual AmericaFest conference in Phoenix three months after co-founder Charlie Kirk was assassinated at Utah Valley University was one of determination to carry out his legacy. -
Turning Point USA conference attendees in Phoenix say the organization is back stronger — and resonating with women — following co-founder Charlie Kirk’s assassination. -
The group is called National Ground Game, and they’re calling their event something we can’t say on the radio. -
Looking forward, Erika Kirk says Turning Point’s political arm will focus on keeping Congress in Republican hands and electing JD Vance as the 48th president in 2028. -
State Sen. Warren Petersen, Gilbert Republican and GOP candidate for attorney general, said Charlie Kirk should be publicly recognized by putting his name along a 78-mile stretch of Loop 202. -
Several cities and towns across the Valley will consider requests to officially memorialize conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was killed by a gunman last month. -
The memorial event honoring conservative activist Charlie Kirk was held at State Farm Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025. See KJZZ's coverage from Glendale. -
The Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority owns the stadium in Glendale. An authority spokesperson says event contracts, done by a separate stadium manager, are confidential.
