POLITICS

Turning Point USA endorses Vance ahead of 2028 speculation

PUBLISHED Dec 18, 2025, 8:35 PM ET

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Media Bias Meter

Sources: 11

Left 18%

Center 55%

Right 27%

Sources: 11

PHOENIX — Erika Kirk, leader of Turning Point USA, endorsed Vice President J.D. Vance for a potential 2028 presidential bid during the opening night of AmericaFest this week. She told thousands the organization would publicly and actively work to elect Vance and to help Republicans retain House and Senate majorities next year, referencing a strategy to 'build the red wall' in key states. Vance has not formally declared a 2028 campaign but is scheduled to speak later in the conference. The endorsement follows Charlie Kirk's assassination and positions TPUSA behind a likely Republican contender. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.

By Daniel Hayes | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

2012: Charlie Kirk founds Turning Point USA to mobilize young conservatives.
September: Charlie Kirk is assassinated; Erika Kirk assumes leadership of TPUSA.
October: Vance tells media he considers talk of a 2028 run premature.
18 December: Erika Kirk publicly endorses JD Vance at AmericaFest.
21 December: JD Vance is scheduled to speak at the conference.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 11
Right Leaning:: 3
Left Leaning:: 2
Neutral:: 6

Who Benefited

JD Vance and Turning Point USA obtained a public organizational endorsement at AmericaFest, giving visible, early backing from the group's leadership for a potential 2028 campaign.

Who Impacted

Other Republican hopefuls did not receive a comparable public endorsement from Turning Point USA at AmericaFest and therefore lack that specific organizational backing.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 11
Right Leaning:: 3
Left Leaning:: 2
Neutral:: 6
Distribution:: Left 18%, Center 55%, Right 27%

Who Benefited

JD Vance and Turning Point USA obtained a public organizational endorsement at AmericaFest, giving visible, early backing from the group's leadership for a potential 2028 campaign.

Who Impacted

Other Republican hopefuls did not receive a comparable public endorsement from Turning Point USA at AmericaFest and therefore lack that specific organizational backing.