Nationwide — Vice President JD Vance closed out Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest convention on Sunday, urging conservatives to fight for the “America First” movement. He also paid tribute to the late Charlie Kirk, encouraging attendees to continue his mission.
According to ABC News, Vance opened his speech by thanking Erika Kirk, Charlie’s widow and now-CEO of Turning Point USA, for her support. While she had endorsed him for president in 2028, Vance focused on honoring Charlie’s legacy rather than addressing the endorsement directly.
The annual event marked the first convention without Charlie Kirk, who was killed in September. Vance told the crowd the best way to honor Kirk is to uphold the principles he stood for and continue speaking out. “Charlie invited all of us here for a reason, because he believed that each of us, all of us, had something worth saying,” Vance said.
Throughout his remarks, Vance called on attendees to fight against radicals who cheered Kirk’s death. He hinted at more legal action, mentioning that he and former President Donald Trump have a list of judges and prosecutors ready to enforce what he called “swifter justice.”
He also criticized Democrats like California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Rep. Ilhan Omar, calling them “puppets” seeking to weaken Americans. Vance promised “victory,” closed borders, and safer communities for those committed to Charlie Kirk’s vision.
Other speakers at the event included Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, White House Border Czar Tom Homan, and Donald Trump Jr., all honoring Kirk’s influence. President Trump shared brief remarks over the phone, and entertainer Nicki Minaj joined Erika Kirk on stage.
Vance closed by calling on God’s guidance and the audience’s commitment to build what he called “the greatest nation in the history of the Earth.”