The Phoenix Convention Center was abuzz this week as Turning Point USA’s annual AmericaFest drew thousands of conservatives from across the country, but the event’s real drama played out on stage—and in the heated conversations that followed. The conference, which took place on December 18 and 19, 2025, became a battleground for competing visions of the Republican Party, as high-profile commentators, politicians, and activists clashed over issues ranging from Israel and free speech to the future of the MAGA movement itself.
The absence of Turning Point’s late founder, Charlie Kirk—who was shot and killed at a Utah Valley University event in September—loomed large over the proceedings. According to The Arizona Republic, nearly every speech referenced Kirk’s legacy as a champion of open debate, with speakers lauding his ability to unite a fractious party. But unity proved elusive, as the event quickly turned into a showcase for the deepening ideological rifts within the conservative movement.
The first night set the tone when conservative heavyweights Tucker Carlson and Ben Shapiro squared off, their disagreement centering on the controversial podcaster Candace Owens, white supremacist Nick Fuentes, and the U.S. relationship with Israel. Owens, who did not attend the event, became a lightning rod after promoting conspiracy theories about Kirk’s murder—claims that implicated both Turning Point staff and Israel, and even suggested, without evidence, that Kirk’s widow Erika was being followed by Egyptian planes. Erika Kirk herself, opening the conference, called on Owens to stop, dismissing the allegations and using humor to deflect the tension.
Shapiro, who previously employed Owens at the Daily Wire before firing her in 2024 for her fierce criticism of Israel after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, was unequivocal in his condemnation. "We as people with a microphone have a moral obligation to call that out by name. Erika Kirk and Turning Point USA never should have been put in a position to have to defend themselves against such specious and evil attacks, particularly at a time of mourning," Shapiro declared, as reported by The Arizona Republic. His remarks drew a mixed reaction—cheers, jeers, and a few boos—from the crowd.
For his part, Carlson defended the right to debate controversial figures and ideas. "To hear calls for like, de-platforming and denouncing people at a Charlie Kirk event, I'm like, what? This is hilarious," Carlson said, arguing that open debate was core to Kirk’s vision. He pushed back against what he saw as left-wing tactics of silencing dissent. "Charlie stood firm in his often-stated and deeply held belief that people should be able to debate and if you have something valid to say, if you're telling the truth, you ought to be able to explain it calmly and in detail to people who don't agree with you, and that you shouldn't immediately resort to ‘Shut up racist,’" Carlson added.
The debate grew even more contentious as Shapiro criticized Carlson for hosting Nick Fuentes, a Holocaust denier, on his show. Shapiro reminded the audience that Kirk himself had recognized Fuentes as an "evil troll," and noted that Turning Point had removed Fuentes from an event the previous year. Carlson, along with others on stage, stood by the principle of free speech, even for those with deeply unpopular views.
Comedian and actor Russell Brand also weighed in, bringing a dose of empathy to the proceedings. "I’ve spoken to Nick Fuentes. I’ve spoken to Candace Owens. They’re Christians like you and me. They’re broken human beings like you and me," Brand said, earning applause from the audience. Meanwhile, Michael Knowles of the Daily Wire took a firmer stance, arguing that "some things are out of bounds" on the political right.
While these debates played out on stage, attendees at AmericaFest were divided. Some, like 22-year-old college student Nathaniel Pyenta from Texas, welcomed the opportunity to question narratives but cautioned against spreading baseless claims. "I think it's fine that she's questioning. I think that's great, but make sure that it's based in questions that actually are trying to solve something and not just stir up controversy," Pyenta told The Arizona Republic. Others, like high school senior Josiah Lazalde, found Owens’ theories "outlandish" but still valued free speech. "I think Ben Shapiro calling her out was a good thing. I think the way he did it was not what we needed," Lazalde said.
Day two of AmericaFest brought a new set of ideological clashes, this time between Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and former White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon. As reported by Newsweek, Ramaswamy, representing MAGA’s tech-savvy, entrepreneurial wing, championed pluralism and support for H1-B visas—an approach favored in Silicon Valley. In contrast, Bannon doubled down on the "America First" agenda, denouncing "Israel First" conservatives like Shapiro, whom he labeled a "cancer," and calling for the Christianization of the United States. Bannon’s rhetoric was pointed: "Tucker said the quiet part out loud—this is a proxy on ‘28,’" he remarked, signaling that these debates are a preview of battles to come as the party looks ahead to the next presidential election.
Ramaswamy, for his part, directly denounced Nick Fuentes and criticized the "online right" for promoting exclusionary ideas about "Heritage Americans." He warned, "There’s a fork in the road for the conservative movement right now. It’s a time for choosing our future." The juxtaposition of Bannon and Ramaswamy’s speeches was no accident; Turning Point appears to be embracing its role as a forum for the ideological struggles that will define the GOP in the coming years.
Despite the onstage fireworks, the atmosphere at AmericaFest was part political rally, part fan convention. Attendees mingled with politicians and celebrities, lined up for ice cream, and browsed booths selling everything from biblical art to Trump-themed apparel. The crowd was diverse in age and, while predominantly white, included people from a variety of backgrounds. For many, the sense of community outweighed the political drama. Arizona State University senior Tyler Aronson told Newsweek he felt "unaffected by the tensions playing out on stage" and was more interested in the opportunity to interact with famous figures. Basil Huff, a high school senior from California, dismissed the intra-party conflicts as "petty" but appreciated the learning experience.
The event’s star power was undeniable, with appearances from Megyn Kelly, actor Rob Schneider, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, and upcoming speeches from Vice President JD Vance, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and Donald Trump Jr. The sheer scale and visibility of AmericaFest, along with its willingness to air internal disputes, has cemented its status as a marquee event for the conservative movement.
At the center of it all stands Erika Kirk, now leading Turning Point USA amid scrutiny over her leadership and the organization’s future. While some question whether she can match her late husband’s organizing prowess, few deny that she has elevated AmericaFest into a premier stage for conservative debate. As the party heads toward the 2028 elections, Turning Point USA is positioning itself as the GOP’s forum for ideological soul-searching—a role that could shape the movement for years to come.
In the end, AmericaFest 2025 may be remembered less for its controversies than for its embrace of open, sometimes messy, debate—a testament to Charlie Kirk’s legacy and a signal of the Republican Party’s ongoing transformation.