Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest 2025 Reveals Deepening Conservative Divisions/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest 2025 showcased deepening rifts within the conservative movement, with top figures like Ben Shapiro and Tucker Carlson trading public jabs. VP JD Vance refused to denounce extremism, advocating unity under patriotism instead. Debates over Israel, antisemitism, and environmental policy revealed a party at a political crossroads.
Turning Point Convention Quick Looks
- Erika Kirk called the event a “family fight” within conservatism.
- Ben Shapiro launched fierce attacks on Carlson, Owens, and Kelly.
- Carlson, Bannon, and Kelly fired back, mocking Shapiro’s influence.
- VP JD Vance refused to condemn extremists, urging unity instead.
- Erika Kirk publicly endorsed Vance as Trump’s potential successor.
- Israel and antisemitism sparked deep divisions among attendees.
- Gavin Newsom became a favorite target for conservative speakers.
- The rising MAHA movement clashed with parts of the MAGA coalition.
- EPA Chief Lee Zeldin faced criticism from health and wellness activists.
- Nicki Minaj made a surprise appearance, mocking Newsom.
Deep Look
Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest 2025 Reveals Deepening Conservative Divisions
PHOENIX — Turning Point USA’s annual AmericaFest convention, intended as a celebration of conservative momentum, instead became a showcase of public feuding, ideological schisms, and political jockeying within the Republican Party.
The four-day event—headlined by Vice President JD Vance and influential right-wing media figures—saw conservatives turning their fire inward, questioning each other’s loyalty, principles, and political relevance.
Erika Kirk, the new head of Turning Point USA following her husband Charlie Kirk’s assassination, tried to put a lighthearted spin on the chaos.
“Say what you want about AmFest, but it’s definitely not boring,” she said. “Feels like a Thanksgiving dinner where your family’s hashing out the family business.”
That family business quickly turned ugly.
Shapiro Blasts Fellow Conservatives
Daily Wire co-founder Ben Shapiro kicked off the fireworks in his opening night speech, directly attacking conservative media personalities he accused of spreading conspiracies and bigotry.
He singled out Candace Owens for “vomiting all sorts of hideous and conspiratorial nonsense,” criticized Megyn Kelly for failing to condemn Owens’ comments, and called Tucker Carlson’s interview with white nationalist Nick Fuentes “an act of moral imbecility.”
Shapiro’s remarks drew immediate pushback. Carlson took the stage shortly after and mocked Shapiro’s attempts to “deplatform and denounce” his peers, saying simply, “I watched it. I laughed.”
The Backlash: Bannon, Kelly, and Owens Respond
The next evening brought more retaliation. Former Trump strategist Steve Bannon accused Shapiro of being a “cancer” on the movement.
Megyn Kelly, once a close ally, said Shapiro had lost all credibility. “He thinks he gets to decide who must say what, to whom, and when,” she said.
Candace Owens, who has pushed conspiracies about Charlie Kirk’s death, responded from outside the conference. Banned from attending.
She called Shapiro a “miserable imp” on her podcast.
The infighting set the tone for the weekend and underscored growing fractures in the conservative movement, especially over identity, ideology, and the future of the MAGA coalition.
Israel, Antisemitism, and Foreign Policy Rifts
One of the most contentious topics was Israel. While support for the country has long been a conservative mainstay, AmericaFest revealed growing doubts about its role in U.S. foreign policy.
Tucker Carlson criticized Israel’s actions in Gazacomments that sounded closer to progressive talking points than traditional GOP rhetoric. Attendees also brought up the 1967 Israeli attack on the USS Liberty, questioning whether the incident was truly a mistake.
Bannon accused pro-Israel conservatives like Shapiro and journalist Bari Weiss of putting Israel above American interests.
Kelly echoed that sentiment, saying the backlash she faced “is about Israel.”
These debates exposed a significant divide between “America First” nationalists and more traditional neoconservative voices within the GOP.
Vance Advocates Unity, Avoids Condemnation
Vice President JD Vance delivered the conference’s closing address, but sidestepped the ideological battles playing out around him. He refused to name or condemn extremist figures, instead promoting a broad and inclusive definition of conservatism.
“We don’t care if you’re white or Black, rich or poor… controversial or a little bit boring,” Vance said. “If you love America, you’re welcome here.”
Vance emphasized the administration’s accomplishments on immigration, economic recovery, and rolling back diversity, equity, and inclusion policies.
“DEI has been relegated to the dustbin of history,” he said, drawing loud applause.
He also called the U.S. a “Christian nation,” reinforcing his appeal to cultural conservatives.
Erika Kirk publicly endorsed Vance for the 2028 presidential race.
“We are going to get my husband’s friend JD Vance elected for 48 in the most resounding way possible,” she said.
Newsom Becomes GOP’s Favorite Target
California Governor Gavin Newsom, viewed as a top Democratic contender for 2028, was mocked repeatedly throughout the event.
Vance portrayed Newsom as the embodiment of liberal failure: “Rolling blackouts, open borders, and unchecked violent gangs,” he said. “They’re just trying to settle on whether it’s going to be Gavin Newsom or Kamala Harris.”
In a surprise moment, rapper Nicki Minaj took the stage and joined in the ridicule.
Using Trump’s nickname for the governor, she quipped, “Tread lightly, Gabby-poo.”
Newsom’s office did not comment on the remarks.
MAHA Movement Makes Waves, Spars With EPA
A new force at the conference was the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movementled by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The wellness-driven faction is becoming influential on the right but has clashed with traditional MAGA priorities, especially regarding environmental regulation.
Wellness podcaster Alex Clark questioned the Environmental Protection Agency’s alignment with the movement.
“Is the EPA with us or against us?” she asked.
Clark accused “big chemical, big ag, and big food” of trying to divide MAHA from MAGA. She also demanded Trump fire EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, whom she accused of catering to corporate interests.
In response, the EPA announced plans to release a MAHA-aligned agenda and involve wellness activists in policymaking.
“The Trump EPA wants to partner with the MAHA community and make sure everyone has a seat at the table,” said agency press secretary Carolyn Holran.
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