The American conservative movement is facing a profound moment of reckoning and renewal after the shocking assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk earlier this month. In the wake of this tragedy, 19-year-old commentator Brilyn Hollyhand has stepped into the national spotlight, launching a 10-campus speaking tour with Turning Point USA that is both a tribute to his late mentor and a test of the movement’s resilience in uncertain times.
Hollyhand, a freshman at Auburn University and the co-chair of the Republican National Committee’s Youth Advisory Council, kicked off his tour on September 28, 2025, at the University of Arkansas. The event drew a sold-out crowd, with Hollyhand sharing a video of the packed auditorium on social media. “These are the next Charlie Kirks,” he wrote on X, a remark that quickly ignited heated debate online, according to Reuters.
The backlash was immediate and fierce. Social media users criticized the comparison, with one stating that Hollyhand is “not a replacement for Charlie Kirk.” Another called him “a child trying to fill the shoes of a giant.” The intensity of the reaction underscored just how large a shadow Kirk cast—and how much scrutiny any young conservative leader now faces as the movement searches for direction.
Hollyhand’s relationship with Kirk was more than professional. The two first connected when Hollyhand was just eleven years old, with Kirk making an early appearance on the young activist’s YouTube channel. Over the years, Kirk became a mentor and friend, shaping Hollyhand’s views on courage, civil discourse, and political engagement. Speaking to The Telegraph after Kirk’s death, Hollyhand described him as “a beacon of hope,” recalling their last conversation the very morning of the assassination. “There is no replacement for Charlie Kirk,” Hollyhand told The Telegraph. “Nobody can fill his shoes.”
Instead of positioning himself as a direct successor, Hollyhand has emphasized the importance of continuing Kirk’s mission: energizing and empowering young conservatives. His own journey began in fifth grade, when he launched a conservative website that has since grown a sizable following. Now, as a prominent voice on campus and within the Republican Party, Hollyhand sees his role less as inheriting Kirk’s mantle and more as building on the foundation his mentor laid.
The tour, which will visit nine more universities across the country, is being closely watched as a barometer for the future of conservative youth activism. At each stop, Hollyhand is expected to confront questions about leadership, legacy, and the meaning of political engagement in a volatile era. The stakes are high—not just for Hollyhand personally, but for a movement grappling with grief, division, and the urgent need to inspire a new generation.
The context for Hollyhand’s rise is anything but ordinary. On September 10, 2025, Charlie Kirk was assassinated at Utah Valley University, sending shockwaves through the political world. The loss has left Turning Point USA and its supporters reeling, and has prompted broader soul-searching about the tone and trajectory of American politics.
That reckoning has not been limited to conservatives. Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego, a Democrat, reflected on the implications of Kirk’s assassination and other recent acts of political violence during a candid interview on KTAR New 92.3 FM’s The Mike Broomhead Show. Gallego cited not only Kirk’s death but also a recent shooting at a Dallas ICE facility and ongoing school violence as catalysts for his own introspection. “Let’s all look internally and see how we’ve been acting, what we’ve been saying,” Gallego urged. “And we all could have been better, and let’s just try to do better, right?”
Gallego’s comments reflect a growing awareness among politicians of all stripes that the country’s overheated rhetoric can have real-world consequences. While he was careful to note that speech alone does not directly cause violence, Gallego acknowledged the danger of “throwing flame on that fire” in a society where “crazy people” have easy access to guns. “I should be able to make a sane argument, a coherent argument and do it passionately without having to move to such a rhetorical place that I think it could inflame already heavy tensions that are happening in this country,” he said. He called on leaders from both the left and right to avoid fanning the flames of division and to model responsible discourse.
In this climate, Hollyhand’s tour is more than just a series of campus events—it’s a crucible for the next generation of conservative leadership. The pressures are immense. On one side, there’s the expectation to honor Kirk’s legacy and continue his work; on the other, there’s the need to chart a new path that responds to the changing realities of American society. The online reaction to Hollyhand’s “next Charlie Kirks” comment is a reminder that leadership is not just about filling shoes—it’s about earning trust and forging connections in real time, often in the glare of public scrutiny.
For his part, Hollyhand appears undaunted. He has made it clear that his goal is not to become the next Kirk, but to foster a movement that welcomes new voices and ideas. His academic pursuits in political science at Auburn University, combined with his high-profile role in the RNC’s Youth Advisory Council, position him as a bridge between the old guard and the rising generation. Whether he can succeed in that delicate balancing act remains to be seen—but the early turnout and attention suggest that many young conservatives are eager for direction and inspiration.
Meanwhile, the conversation about political violence and responsibility continues to evolve. Gallego’s call for self-reflection and restraint has resonated across party lines, as Americans grapple with the tragic consequences of polarization and extremism. The hope, as voiced by leaders like Hollyhand and Gallego alike, is that this moment of crisis can also be a moment of renewal—one in which the country’s political culture becomes more civil, more inclusive, and more focused on the common good.
As the Brilyn Hollyhand campus tour moves forward, all eyes will be on the movement’s next steps. The coming weeks will test not only Hollyhand’s leadership but also the conservative movement’s ability to adapt, heal, and inspire. In the shadow of loss, a new generation is being called to step up—and the nation is watching to see what comes next.
