Erika Kirk, CEO of Turning Point USA and widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, formally endorsed Vice President JD Vance for president in 2028 during a speech at the organization’s Americafest conference. Her announcement, delivered to an enthusiastic audience, positions Vance as a leading contender for the Republican nomination, despite his lack of a public declaration for the race. This high-profile backing emerges amidst a backdrop of significant internal strife within the MAGA movement, particularly concerning the legacy of her late husband.

Speaking to attendees on Thursday, Ms. Kirk emphatically stated, “We are going to get my husband’s friend JD Vance elected 48 in the most resounding way possible.” This powerful endorsement from one of the nation’s most influential conservative youth organizations could substantially bolster Vance’s political standing. While the Vice President has not yet confirmed his intentions for the 2028 election cycle, recent polls indicate he is already considered a frontrunner among potential Republican candidates.

The connection between Vance and the Kirk family runs deep, rooted in a close friendship that began in 2017 with Charlie Kirk. Following the conservative activist’s assassination in Utah on September 10, Vance paid tribute, crediting his late friend with playing a pivotal role in shaping his own political journey. “Charlie Kirk was a true friend,” Vance wrote, adding that “so much of the success we’ve had in this administration traces directly to Charlie’s ability to organize and convene.”

Erika Kirk previously acknowledged the unique bond, remarking in October that while “no one will ever replace” her deceased husband, she observed “some similarities” between him and Vance. A public embrace between the two on stage at a prior TPUSA event sparked considerable speculation on social media regarding their relationship. Ms. Kirk later addressed these rumors on Megyn Kelly’s podcast, clarifying her customary greeting involves touching the back of someone’s head and saying, “God bless you,” dismissing any misinterpretations.

The endorsement and related events at Americafest unfold against a simmering “MAGA civil war,” largely centered on the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s death and the preservation of his legacy. Tensions within the conservative movement were palpable throughout the conference, as prominent voices clashed over the narrative surrounding the tragic event and the broader direction of the right.

Conservative media commentator Ben Shapiro directly confronted these divisions during his own address at Americafest. He sharply criticized certain MAGA influencers for providing platforms to “extremist voices” who have propagated baseless conspiracy theories about Charlie Kirk’s assassination. Shapiro specifically named Tucker Carlson, accusing him of raising unfounded doubts about the government’s investigation into the death.

Shapiro warned that “the conservative movement is… in danger from charlatans who claim to speak in the name of principle but actually traffic in conspiracism and dishonesty.” Tucker Carlson, who commands a significant online following, took the stage shortly after Shapiro. Carlson countered by advocating against the “deplatform and denounce” impulse among GOP leaders, asserting that the rush to sideline those accused of bigotry was a primary reason he voted for Donald Trump.

Carlson, a vocal supporter of JD Vance, framed the ongoing disagreements as a “proxy war” for the future ideological direction of the conservative movement. Notably absent from the Americafest stage was Candace Owens, another influential podcaster and MAGA figure. Owens has consistently promoted various conspiracy theories surrounding Charlie Kirk’s death and publicly criticized Erika Kirk, accusing her of exhibiting “Meghan Markle syndrome,” implying a desire for publicity or privacy based on convenience.

Despite these public disagreements, Ms. Owens recently announced an “extremely productive” four-and-a-half-hour meeting with Erika Kirk, suggesting that “tensions were thawed.” Ms. Kirk corroborated this positive account of their discussion. However, during her Americafest speech, Erika Kirk conspicuously mocked several of the outlandish conspiracy theories regarding her husband’s assassination, including one promoted by Owens that claimed Egyptian planes were tracking her.

Addressing the crowd, Ms. Kirk humorously stated, “We have 25 countries represented. Don’t worry guys, Egypt is not on the list,” directly refuting the widely circulated claims. Vice President Vance is scheduled to deliver his own address at Americafest on Sunday, an event expected to draw over 30,000 attendees, further cementing the conference as a crucial forum for these unfolding political narratives and alliances within the conservative landscape.

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Keywords: Erika Kirk, JD Vance 2028, Turning Point USA, Americafest conference, MAGA infighting, Charlie Kirk assassination, Conservative movement future, Tucker Carlson Ben Shapiro debate