Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk and Vice President JD Vance addressed thousands of students on Wednesday at the University of Mississippi as part of the “This Is the Turning Point” tour.
Despite rain, thousands of students waited in long lines to attend the event, many wearing shirts reading “Freedom” in tribute to Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated just weeks earlier in Utah while wearing a similar shirt. More than 14,00 students registered for the event, representing over half the student body of Ole Miss. Another 13,000 adults registered but were unable to fit inside the venue.
Erika Kirk delivered an emotional speech to the packed crowd, directing her message largely toward Generation Z and young Americans.
“You guys are the heartbeat of Turning Point USA,” she told the audience, describing how being around TPUSA members after her husband’s death made her feel more connected to him.
Erika called the gathering a “spiritual reclaiming of territory,” urging conservative students to stand firm in defending their faith and values.
“You are the courageous generation. Own it. Make him proud,” Erika said of her late husband. She added that Charlie “believed that to his core” and was passionate about inspiring young people on campuses nationwide.
She also emphasized Christian values, declaring, “I just want this to be the generation that says, ‘we will not apologize for loving our country first. We will not be silent about our faith. We will not back down when the world tells us to kneel, because we bow only to the King of kings.'”
Following her remarks, VP Vance took the stage and echoed similar themes, asserting that a “properly rooted Christian moral order” is vital to America’s future. He added that the best way to honor Charlie’s legacy is “not to despair, but to hope in the future of this country.”
Vance closed the evening with a question-and-answer session, modeled after how Charlie Kirk often ended his events. When asked about the separation of church and state and his religious beliefs, Vance responded, “I make no apologies for thinking that Christian values are an important foundation of this country.”
“Anybody who’s telling you their view is neutral likely has an agenda to sell you. And I’m at least honest about the fact that I think the Christian foundation of this country is a good thing,” the vice president added.
