Vice President JD Vance closed out the final day of Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest convention. Sunday, rallying conservatives around issues of Christianity and the “America First” movement.
During the conference earlier this week, Charlie Kirk’s widow and now CEO of Turning Point USA, Erika Kirk, endorsed Vance for president in 2028; Although Vance did not directly respond to the endorsement on Sunday, he thanked Erica Kirk for her support.
“I have to start on a note of gratitude, Erika. I cannot thank you enough for your strength, your grace, and your kind words of support to this administration and to me personally,” Vance said.
The annual convention began Thursday, marking the first year without the organization’s founder, the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was murdered in September.
“…But let me say that the best way to honor Charlie is that none of us here should do something after Charlie’s death that he himself refused to do in life. He invited us all here,” Vance said.
“Charlie invited us all here for a reason, because he believed that each of us, all of us, had something worth saying,” Vance added.
Throughout his remarks, Vance spoke about Charlie Kirk several times: “If you miss Charlie Kirk, will you promise to fight for what he died for?… Will you promise to help defeat the radicals who applauded his death?”
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 21: Vice President JD Vance speaks on the final day of Turning Point USA’s annual AmericaFest conference at the Phoenix Convention Center on December 21, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. Vance spoke about preparing for the upcoming election and fighting the left on culture war issues. (Photo by Caylo Seals/Getty Images)
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Vance alluded to “more prosecutions” and offered that he and President Donald Trump have “a slate of better judges and prosecutors to deliver faster justice.”
“Greatness awaits each of you in the America First movement, we are building together, but we need your help to get there… so join us in the fight against the stupid Senate rules that stand in your way,” he said.
He frequently attacked Democrats, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Rep. Ilhan Omar, calling them “stooges” and accusing them of wanting to make Americans “poor…less powerful…and less safe.”
In a campaign-style closing remarks, Vance promised “victory” and “closed borders and safe communities” to Turning Point members committed to Charlie Kirk’s mission.
“Only God can promise you salvation in heaven, but together we can fulfill the promise of the greatest nation in the history of Earth,” he said.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, White House border czar Tom Homan and Donald Trump Jr. were among Sunday’s other notable speakers, who also praised the late Charlie Kirk and united the conservative crowd.
President Donald Trump also made brief comments via phone call during Trump Jr.’s speech and singer-songwriter and rapper Nicki Minaj appeared on stage alongside Erika Kirk.
