Erika Kirk, speaking at America Fest, which was the first major event after her husband's death, expressed confidence in supporting Vance, stating: “We will make sure my husband’s friend, J.D. Vance, becomes the 48th president of the United States.” The festival took place in Phoenix, Arizona, and gathered over 30,000 participants.
The event attracted 31,000 of Kirk's supporters, although, as reported by Axios, the number of attendees was limited for security reasons. People began gathering at the Conference Center in Phoenix from three in the morning.
Among the main speakers, in addition to Erika Kirk, were Vice President Vance, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and Donald Trump Jr. Last year's AmFest, which was also attended by President Trump, attracted 21,000 participants, highlighting the growing popularity of the event.
President Trump addressed the AmFest attendees after his son, Donald Trump Jr., called him directly from the stage, but the main guest was indeed Vance, who was supported by Charlie Kirk.
During his speech, Vance called for unity among Republicans, emphasizing that “we have work to do, and we should not waste time on internal conflicts.” His speech stood out against the backdrop of criticism from other speakers, such as Ben Shapiro, who expressed concern about “threats” from “charlatans” and “frauds” within the movement. Steve Bannon, in response, characterized Shapiro as a “cancerous tumor.”
Vance emphasized that the “real enemy” is the radical left, which “killed Charlie and celebrates it.” The entire festival was somewhat overshadowed by internal disputes, which, according to Politico, reflects the sentiments within the Republican coalition ahead of the upcoming elections.
The upcoming midterm elections for Congress and the 2028 presidential election have already begun to reveal the struggle for succession within the “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) movement. Vance has not yet made definitive statements about his intention to run for president, but support from Turning Point supporters could prove beneficial.
Kirk's movement is believed to have played a key role in mobilizing young voters for the 2024 elections, helping to register tens of thousands of new voters in Arizona, which was crucial for Trump’s victory in the state.
Additionally, Kirk supported Vance during his campaign for the Ohio Senate, facilitating his connections with important sponsors and people in Trump’s circle.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Turning Point is already beginning to build infrastructure for a potential Vance presidential campaign in 2028. The organization plans to place its representatives in all Iowa counties ahead of the primaries, as this state plays an important role in the early stages of candidate nominations.
“Why worry? Let the Democrats fight among themselves in the primaries, and we will take advantage of the rare opportunity to have a candidate with a clear advantage,” quotes WSJ Tyler Bowyer, one of the leaders of Turning Point.
Trump hinted at the possibility that Vance could become his successor, also mentioning Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who, in turn, stated that he would not compete with Vance for the nomination.
